To Hell With Dying Study Guide

This story revolves around a beloved neighbor, Mr. Sweet, and the many "revivals" a neighboring family participates in to bring him back from the brink of death. The revival consists of the whole family going to visit Mr. Sweet, who lay on his deathbed. The children's father would say, "To hell with dying, man," addressing the dying Mr. Sweet, and "These children want Mr. Sweet!" The children would take those words as their cue and would crowd around Mr. Sweet and throw themselves on the bed with him. The youngest of the children would kiss Mr. Sweet all over his face and tickle him until he laughed. Mr. Sweet would then make a swift recovery and continue to live. (read more)