He lay still, however, until all the house was quiet, excepting the
snoring of the Mynheers from the different chambers; who answered one
another in all kinds of tones and cadences, like so many bull-frogs in
a swamp. The quieter the house became, the more unquiet became my
grandfather. He waxed warmer and warmer, until at length the bed became
too hot to hold him.
"May be the maid had warmed it too much?" said the curious gentleman,
inquiringly.
"I rather think the contrary," replied the Irishman. "But be that as it
may, it grew too hot for my grandfather."
"Faith there's no standing this any longer," says he; so he jumped out
of bed and went strolling about the house.
"What for?" said the inquisitive gentleman.
"Why, to cool himself to be sure," replied the other, "or perhaps to
find a more comfortable bed - or perhaps - but no matter what he went
for - he never mentioned; and there's no use in taking up our time in
conjecturing."
Well, my grandfather had been for some time absent from his room, and
was returning, perfectly cool, when just as he reached the door he
heard a strange noise within. He paused and listened. It seemed as if
some one was trying to hum a tune in defiance of the asthma.
