Australian Tales - Setis

way to such gloomy forebodings, or you'll make me cry too. Dry up
those tears, Ruth dear, and don't cry any more.’ Then I would kiss her
again, and try to soothe her. But she did cry more though; so I thought it
best to leave her alone for a little, as she was not one for giving way to
sentimental whims and fancies, and I knew she would soon brighten up
again, like an April day between the showers. Depend upon it, sir, that is
the best way to manage such cases. You can never stop such tears as
those with dry reasoning, so you needn't try. Let the floods come if they
will, for those ducts are nature's safety valves to the heart, when
surcharged with tender emotions, and tears often give immediate ease,
like taking off tight boots.
“But I begin to feel as low-spirited as if I had just shot somebody,” said
the old gentlemen, his face brightening up, while he applied a red hot
cinder to his pipe. “I shall make you gloomy too, Mr. Boomerang, if I
don't alter my strain, which is too dirge-like for such a lively subject as I
am going to introduce you to.
“Well, sir, time went on slowly, and the preparations went on nimbly.
Mrs. Follidodd, the monthly nurse, came to lodge with us; and a fine,
chatty old body she was, too. I felt my responsibilities very much
decreased as soon as she took charge of her department in the household;
and her ceaseless tongue was wonderfully stimulating to my flagging
courage. My dear Ruth, too, kept up her spirits as long as she could keep
herself up. I used to try to put on a merry face, when in her company, but
I fancy it looked as forced as the polite Frenchman's smile of apology to
the stout English lady who had run against him in turning a London
corner, and knocked his front teeth out.
“ ‘Mr. Wobble,’ said Mrs. Follidodd, as she entered my sanctum a few
evenings afterwards, ‘I think I shall have to trouble you to go for Dr.
Dollop, bye — ’
“ ‘Oh yes, certainly,’ I exclaimed, starting up as excitedly as if a black
rat were running up my leg. ‘I'll fetch him in two minutes.’
“ ‘Stop, stop, sir, don't be so alarmed, there's no hurry. I don't want the
doctor just yet; only I thought I'd better tell you not to be out of the way.
Pray compose yourself, Mr. Wobble, everything is going on very nicely,
and there's not the least cause for anxiety. You must not be so excited,
sir.’
“ ‘No, I won't, Mrs. Follidodd,’ I replied, humbly, ‘only tell me what to
do, there's a good creature. I'll do anything in the world you tell me; and
every thing you want I'll get for you. Never mind the price.’
“ ‘Thank you, sir, I have all that I want at present. Now I advise you to
lie down on the dining-room sofa, and take a nap; I'll call you when I
want you. There now, be calm, sir; lie down and go to sleep, for you are
looking quite fagged.’
“Accordingly, I lay down with my clothes and boots on, and my hat