THE WITCH OF SMOKY HOLLOW 163 
hair was grey, a bit ; an' she'd a nice voice an' way 
o' speakin'.' 
Whatever the doctor thought, he said nothing. In 
the evening when they went to the public, as they 
generally did after any unusual occurrence, they found 
the hero of the night before giving a most minute 
description of the lady's dress and features, over 
copious drinks. After listening to this they told him 
that he was ' a paltry lyin' varmint, and if he waunt 
out of the place in a jiff, he should make acquaintance 
with some shoe-leather.' Sneaking home, where he 
found his son had not yet gone to bed, he gave the 
poor lad another dose of ash-plant oil, telling him ' the 
next mare's nest as he found he'd best keep his mouth 
shet tight about it, an' not git grown-up people inter 
trouble.' 
By degrees the simple country folks lost the vague 
feeling of fear they had at first, and if they met the 
lady near or about her home, would lift their hands 
to their heads in token of respect ; for many an act 
of kindness did she show them in the most quiet 
manner. 
At last the nearest resident clergyman paid her a 
visit ; he was courteously received, and every mark of 
respect shown him, but his visit was never repeated. 
A small farm near supplied almost all the house 
