“I mumbled an apology, waited a few minutes and tried again.  It is unpleasant to have the bell ring in your ear, so out of courtesy to the other subscribers I gently lifted off the receiver, put it to my ear and heard, ‘That cottage by the shore will suit—­’

“Fifteen minutes later I tried again and please remember my tooth was paining all the time.  I listened, the line was quiet, I called central and asked ‘One nine ring two four please.’

“‘That line is busy.’

“Well, I thanked my lucky stars that I have a good supply of patience.  After five minutes I tried again.  I listened to see if the line was busy and heard, ‘Killed by an automobile, all mangled to pieces.’  Too horror stricken to realize I was listening to conversation not intended for my ears I listened on.  The details fairly made my blood run cold and the unknown speaker had the most tragic voice I ever heard.  She continued, ’It was terrible, I almost fainted, it was one of my best roosters, too!’

“Just then a neighbor brought in my mail and I spent a few minutes reading letters and looking over the morning Post but the persistent tooth reminded me and I tried again.  Wonder of wonders I got the dentist’s office and asked if the dentist was there.  ’No, he is not here just now but he will be back in a few minutes, shall I tell him to call you?’

“‘If you will, please, this is—­’

“‘I knew your voice instantly, Bessie, and I’ll tell him.’

“I waited and waited, then waited some more, then I tried again.  ’Get off the line, somebody else wants a chance to use it.  You there, Jim?’

“I was almost in despair.  When I was sure my snappy friend had had time enough to transact all the affairs of the Nation I made another attempt but I listened once more, rather than butt in again, listened and heard, ‘Just the sweetest shade of green, you know—­’ Trials of Job, I was getting out of patience, to put it mildly.  I gave the crank a vicious turn but the same party was still talking, she said sweetly, ‘I guess someone wants the line.’  I assured her I did, it was a case of life and death.  ’Someone dead, oh dear, is it any one I know?’

“Thoroughly exasperated I called central and demanded, ’one nine ring two four.’

“‘Line busy.’

“I made up my mind never to use a ’phone again, or try to when my own number rang.  I grabbed the receiver off the hook and thought my trial was over, for of course I knew it was the dentist at last.  ’Is this you, Bessie?  Did you know Jennie Knowles has broken her ankle?’

“’No, I didn’t, and I don’t care if she has broken her neck, I want the line.’

“Of course my rudeness lost me a friend for a while, until I saw her and made ample apologies, but I made my last attempt and was connected with the dentist.  I told him about the toothache; it took some time as I had to explain three times that I was using the line but I did it.  ’Does it ache very badly?  Can’t you stand it until to-morrow?  Then the treatment will desensitize it sufficiently and I can work on it without hurting you at all.’