As Samanthy gave her an inquiring look, Mrs. Putnam said, “No, I don’t want nothin’ to eat or drink nuther, but when yer git the dishes washed I want yer ter go on an errand for me.”

It was half past six when Samanthy Green again stood in Mrs. Putnam’s room.

“I want yer to go right down to Zeke Pettengill’s and tell his sister Alice that I want her to come right up here.  Tell her it’s my las’ sickness, and I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.  Be sure you put it to her jest as I do; and Samanthy,” as Samanthy opened the door and was leaving the room, “say, Samanthy, don’t git anybody to do the errand for you.”

About ten minutes after Samanthy left the house, Lindy Putnam entered the sick room.  Mrs. Putnam’s pain had been relieved somewhat by the mustard, and this relief restored, to a great extent, her usual vigor of mind.

“What are you up here for?” cried Mrs. Putnam, a look of displeasure clouding her face.

“I knew Samanthy had gone out, and so I came up to see if I could do anything for you, mother.”

“Don’t mother me.  I ain’t your mother, and I mean everybody shall know it soon’s I’m dead.”

“I’ve had to say mother before other people,” explained Lindy, “and that’s why I forgot myself then.  Pray excuse me.”

“Oh, don’t put on yer citified airs when yer talkin’ to me.  Ain’t yer glad I’m goin’ ter die?”

“I hope you will get better, Mrs. Putnam,” answered Lindy.

“You know better,” rejoined Mrs. Putnam.  “You’ll be glad when I’m gone, for then you kin go gallivantin’ ’round and spend the money that my son worked hard fur.”

“I’ve used very little of it,” said Lindy; “less than the interest; I have never touched the principal.”

Lindy still remained standing at the foot of the bed.

“Didn’t yer hear me say I didn’t want nuthin’?” asked Mrs. Putnam.

“I will leave the room then,” replied Lindy quietly.

“I wish you would,” said Mrs. Putnam, “and you’ll do me a favor if you’ll pack yer duds as quick as yer can and git out of the house and never come back agin.”

“I will leave the room, but I cannot leave the house while you are alive,” remarked Lindy firmly.

“Why not?” said Mrs. Putnam.  “I want to die in peace, and I shall go much easier if I know I haven’t got to set my eyes on your face agin.”

“I promised Jones,” said Lindy, “that I would never leave you while you were alive.”

“Oh, you promised Jones, did yer?” cried Mrs. Putnam with a sneer.  “Wall, Jones will let you off on yer promise jest to ’blige me, so yer needn’t stay any longer.”

As Lindy walked towards the door, Mrs. Putnam spoke again.

“Did yer ever tell anybody I wasn’t yer mother?” Lindy hesitated.  “Why don’t you out with it,” said Mrs. Putnam, “and say no, no matter if it is a lie?  Samanthy can lie faster’n a horse can trot, and I know you put her up to it.”