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HARDING OF ST. TIMOTHY'S
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more, and when they came this afternoon I said so. But one of 'em explained it was his birthday, and they just wanted to pretend, anyway, they were having a—a blowout; and I had nothing but cider in the house, doctor, nothing but cider, honest—and that not what you might call real hard. So I thought there could n't be much harm in just pourin' 'em out a little of that. I've got rid of all my other stuff. I'll take you down cellar and show you, if you say so, doctor; I'll take you in and show you what the young fellows have been drinkin', if you don't believe me. But it's the truth I'm tellin' you, and I didn't go to break my word to Doctor Davenport—I did n't go to do it, honest."

"Very well," said Doctor Vincent, "I believe you. I believe you enough to make these terms: You give me your word that hereafter you'll turn away any boys who come to you, and that you'll not sell them even cider, and we'll let this matter pass."

"I'll give you my word, doctor—honest," said the man.