"Whoever told you so did not speak the truth. James died naturally."
"Yes," repeated the minister, in a slightly perplexed tone, "he kicked the side of the barn down in his last agonies, did he not?"
"No, sir, he didn't."
"Well, I have been misinformed, I suppose. How old was he?"
"Thirty-five."
"Then he did not do much active work. Perhaps you are better without him, for you can easily supply his place with another."
"Never, sir—never will I see one as good as he."
"Oh, yes, you will. He had the heaves bad, you know."
"Nothing of the kind!"
"Why, I recollect I saw him, one day, passing along the road, and I distinctly recollect that he had the heaves, and walked as if he had the string-halt."