Page 207 - Child's own book

with a light, and he went down stairs with her; but when he
saw that what he had kicked down was a dead man, he was

most dreadfully frightened. “ Unhappy man, that I am !” said
lie, u why did I attempt to come down without a light ? I have
killed the poor fellow that was brought to me to he cured ;
questionless I am the cause of his death : I am ruined ; they
will be here out of hand, and drag me out of my house for a
murderer." Notwithstanding the perplexity and jeopardy lie
was in, he had the precaution to shut his door, for fear any one
passing by in the street should observe the mischance of which
he reckoned himself to be the author. Then he took the
corpse into his wife’s chamber, who was Teady to swoon at the
sight. “ Alas! ” cried she, <l we are utterly ruined and undone,
unless we can fall upon some expedient to get the corpse out of
our house this night. Beyond all question, if we harbour it
till morning, our lives must pay for i*. What a sad mischance