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"Well done!" cried Don Abbondio, in whom the security he was

beginning to feel with regard to his life allowed his anxiety to

appear for his property; "well done! Is this what you have been

doing? Where were your brains?"

"How!" replied Perpetua, stopping for a moment, and attempting,

as far as her load would permit, to place her arms a-kimbo; "do

you find fault, when it was yourself who teased me out of my

wits, instead of helping me as you ought to have done? I have

thought more of my master's goods than my own; and if there is

any thing lost, I can't help it, I have done more than my duty."