"Don't do it, Ben! He has malignant diphtheria, and he would but die under it!"
The words were spoken in an awe-struck whisper, but they only seemed to anger the man the more.
"Malignant diphtheria, has he?" he exclaimed, harshly. "Well he may give it to the rest of us, and the best thing that can be done is to put him out of the way. Don't give us any more lip, Liz, but stand aside!"
He put out his hand to compel her obedience, but she only caught it, and held him convulsively.
"Don't, Ben!" she cried, wildly. "For the love of God have mercy! I have never asked many things of you, and I beg this as I would not plead for my own life! Oh, Ben, have mercy!"
"I am tired of this now! Shut up, or——"
"Ben, remember how true I have been. Remember——"
"Let me go, do you hear?"
"Ben, have pity! I swear that it is the last favor that I shall ever ask!"
For all answer he gave her a terrible fling, that sent her spinning across the room.