BEZKYA AND THE PILLS 85 



gether. As I went by, all turned as one of them 

 pointed at me, and again they whispered. 



"Oh, heavens!" I thought; "I've killed the old 

 man." But still I would not go in. That night I 

 did not sleep for worrying about it. Next morning I 

 was on the point of sending Billy to learn the state of 

 affairs, when who should come staggering up but old 

 Bezkya. He was on two crutches now, his com- 

 plexion was a dirty gray, and his feeble knees were 

 shaking, but he told Billy — yes, unmistakably this 

 time — ^to tell the Okimow that that was great medi- 

 cine I had given him, and he wanted a dose just like it 

 for his wife. 



