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"I am so distracted with fear and hope for our precious

creatures," said Miss Pross, wildly crying, "that I am incapable

of forming any plan. Are you capable of forming any plan, my dear

good Mr. Cruncher?"

"Respectin' a future spear o' life, miss," returned Mr. Cruncher,

"I hope so. Respectin' any present use o' this here blessed old

head o' mine, I think not. Would you do me the favour, miss, to

take notice o' two promises and wows wot it is my wishes fur to

record in this here crisis?"

"Oh, for gracious sake!" cried Miss Pross, still wildly crying,

"record them at once, and get them out of the way, like an

excellent man."

"First," said Mr. Cruncher, who was all in a tremble, and who

spoke with an ashy and solemn visage, "them poor things well out

o' this, never no more will I do it, never no more!"

"I am quite sure, Mr. Cruncher," returned Miss Pross, "that you

never will do it again, whatever it is, and I beg you not to

think it necessary to mention more particularly what it is."