"Don't hurry, Seth, let the cows take care of themselves."

Poor Seth! He didn't know what to do. The butter began to melt and came pouring from under his hat⁷ down into his eyes and mouth.

The shopkeeper was talking as if nothing was the matter and continued to put sticks into the stove.

"Fine night this," he said. "Seth, why don't you take your hat off? You seem to be warm. Let me put your hat over here."

"No!" cried poor Seth at last. "No! I must go! Let me go out. I'm not well. Let me go!"

The butter was now pouring down the poor man's face and neck and even down his body into his boots, so that he was in a perfect bath of oil⁸.

"Well, good night, Seth," said the shopkeeper smiling, "if you really want to go." Then he added, as Seth made his way to the door, "I say, Seth, I think the fun I have had out of you is worth ninepence so I shan't charge you⁹ for that pound of butter in your hat."