'Oh, Mr. Bumble!' cried the lady, 'I have been so dreadfully putout!'

　　'Put out, ma'am!' exclaimed Mr. Bumble; 'who has dared to--?  Iknow!' said Mr. Bumble, checking himself, with native majesty,'this is them wicious paupers!'

　　'It's dreadful to think of!' said the lady, shuddering.

　　'Then DON'T think of it, ma'am,' rejoined Mr. Bumble.

　　'I can't help it,' whimpered the lady.

　　'Then take something, ma'am,' said Mr. Bumble soothingly.  'Alittle of the wine?'

　　'Not for the world!' replied Mrs. Corney.  'I couldn't,--oh!  Thetop shelf in the right-hand corner--oh!'  Uttering these words,the good lady pointed, distractedly, to the cupboard, andunderwent a convulsion from internal spasms.  Mr. Bumble rushedto the closet; and, snatching a pint green-glass bottle from theshelf thus incoherently indicated, filled a tea-cup with itscontents, and held it to the lady's lips.

　　'I'm better now,' said Mrs. Corney, falling back, after drinkinghalf of it.

　　Mr. Bumble raised his eyes piously to the ceiling inthankfulness; and, bringing them down again to the brim of thecup, lifted it to his nose.

　　'Peppermint,' exclaimed Mrs. Corney, in a faint voice, smilinggently on the beadle as she spoke.  'Try it!  There's a little--alittle something else in it.'

　　Mr. Bumble tasted the medicine with a doubtful look; smacked hislips; took another taste; and put the cup down empty.

　　'It's very comforting,' said Mrs. Corney.