And then all of a sudden, it came into my mind to wonder about that there medicine.

And I just run up to see.
And there I found 'er a-laying' dead, and _the stuff in the bottle were 'alf-gone!_" Mrs.Briggs's information was imparted in a whisper and punctuated by sniffs.

Her two listeners exchanged awe-stricken glances.
"How did you know she was dead ?" asked Violet.

"What did she look like ?" "My dear," said Mrs.Briggs, with solemn pride, "anyone as 'as seen death as often as I 'ave don't need to look twice." Mrs.Briggs occupied the exalted position of layer-out in chief in Brethaven village, and right proud was she of her calling.

It had been handed down from mother to daughter in her family for the past four generations.