“Yes，woman。Didn’tItellyu’thebotanisthadhiswifealong？
Well，hedid。Andsheactedbetterthantheman，forhewasrosin’hishead，andshoutin’hehadnowhiskey，andhedidn’tguesshisknifewassharpenoughtoamputatemythumb，andnoneofuschewed，andthedoctorwastwentymilesaway，andifhehadonlyrememberedtobringhisammonia——well，hewasscreechingout’mosteverythingheknewintheworld，andwithoutarrangingitany，neither。Butshejustclawedhispocketandburrowedandkep’yelling，’Givehimthestone，Augustus！’AndshewhippedoutoneofthemInjunmedicine-stones，——firstoneIeverseen，——andsheclappeditontomythumb，anditstartedinrightaway。“
“Whatdiditdo？“saidI。
“Sucked。Likeblotting-paperdoes。Softandfunnyitwas，andgray。Theyget’emfromelks’stomachs，yu’know。Andwhenithadsuckedthepoisonoutofthewound，offitfallsofmythumbbyitself！AndIthankedthewomanforsavingmylifethatcapableandkeepingherheadthatcool。Ineverknowedhowexcitedshehadbeentillafterward。Shewasawfulshocked。“
“Isupposeshestartedtotalkwhenthedangerwasover，“saidI，withdeepsilencearoundme。