third effort hung her there, wedged in, squeaking like a fat doe-rabbit — and Boyd and I, stifling with laughter, now pushing, now tugging at her fat ankles. And finally got her out upon the ladder platform, crimson and speechless in her fury; and we lingered not, but fled together, not daring to face the lady at whose pudgy and nether limbs we had pulled so heartily.

“Lord!” said Boyd. “If she complains of us to her Commissary husband, there’ll be a new issue not included in his department!”

And it doubled us with laughter to think on’t, so that for lack o’ breath I sat down upon a log to hold my aching sides.

“Now, she’ll be ever on their heels,” muttered Boyd, “hen-like,