Up to Mrs.Prince's.She's been poorly and he's prob'ly been called there.Run!run fast as ever you can and get him and I'll go to Grace this minute.The poor thing!Have you told anybody else?No,no!ain't seen nobody but you to tell.They was prayin'over to meetin',and the fellers that waits outside to keep comp'ny with the girls ain't got there yet.And I never met nobody.And 'twas so blasted dark I fell down four times and tore my best pants and--S-sh-sh!Listen to me!Don't tell anybody.Not a soul but the doctor.Half this town'll be runnin'to find out if you do,and that poor girl must be distracted already.I'll go to her.You get Dr.Parker and tell him to hurry.I'll tell him;don't you fret.
He was gone,running harder than ever.A moment later Keziah followed him,running also.
It was a misty,black night,and Trumet sidewalks were uneven and hard to navigate.But she stumbled on,up the main road to the Corners,down the Turn-off,past the chapel of the Come-Outers,from the open window of which sounded the drone of a high,nasal voice.Josiah Badger was testifying,and Keziah caught a fragment of the testimony as she hurried by.
I says to 'em,says I,I says to 'em,'I don't care about your smart mum-mum-minister and what fine sermons he preaches.Let him BE smart,'I says.Says I,'Smartness won't g-g-g-git ye into heaven.'(Amen!)'No,sirree!it takes more'n that.I've seen smart folks afore and they got c-c-cuk-catched up with sooner or later.Pride goes ahead of a tumble,I've heard tell,and--This was all that Keziah heard of Mr.Badger's testimony,for,as she ran on,a rattle of wheels and the thud of hoofs came from behind her.Then a rocking chaise,drawn by a galloping horse,shot by.Dr.Parker's carriage,she was sure.The Higgins boy must have met the doctor and delivered his message.
The horse and chaise were standing by the front gate of the tavern as she pantingly drew near it.The side door of the house was ajar and she opened it softly and entered.The dining room was empty.
There was a light on the sitting-room table and low voices came from the little bedroom adjoining.Then,from the bedroom,emerged Dr.Parker and Grace Van Horne.The girl was white and there were dark circles under her eyes.The doctor was very grave.
Keziah stepped forward and held out both hands.Grace looked,recognized her,and with a cry ran toward her.Keziah took her in her arms and soothed her as if she were a child.
There!there!deary,she said,stroking her hair.There!there!
deary,don't take it so hard.Poor thing!you're worn out.If I'd only known sooner.O Aunt Keziah!sobbed the girl.I'm so glad you've come.It was so good of you.Good!Land of mercy!If I hadn't come,I'd have been worse than the beasts that perish.Don't cry,don't.How is he now?Some better?She looked at the doctor as she asked it.He shook his head emphatically.
Well,well,dear,went on Mrs.Coffin hurriedly.He will be pretty soon,we'll hope.You mustn't give up the ship,you know.
Now you go and lay down somewheres and I'll get my things off and see what there is to do.Some good strong tea might be good for all hands,I guess likely.Where's Hannah Poundberry?She's gone to her cousin's to stay all night.I suppose I ought to send for her,but I--No,no,you hadn't.Might's well send for a poll parrot,the critter would be just as much good and talk less.I'll look out for things,me and the doctor.Where's--where's Nat?He came in just after I sent the boy for the doctor.He's in there with--with him,indicating the bedroom.Poor Nat!Keziah looked longingly toward the door.
Yes,she said slowly.Poor fellow,it's an awful shock to him.
He and his father are--But there!you lay down on that lounge.I can't lie down.I can't do anything but think.Oh,what a dreadful day this has been!And I thought it was going to be such a happy one!Yes,yes,deary,I know.
Grace raised her head.
You know?she repeated,looking up into the housekeeper's face.
I mean I know it's been a dreadful day,explained Keziah quickly.
Yes,indeed it has,with a sigh.But there!our moanin'over it don't cheer it up any.Will you lay down?No?Well,then,SETdown,there's a good girl.
Grace,protesting that she couldn't sit down,she couldn't leave uncle,and there were so many things to do,was at last persuaded by Keziah and the doctor to rest for a few moments in the big rocker.Then Mrs.Coffin went into the kitchen to prepare the tea.
As she went,she beckoned to Dr.Parker,who joined her a moment later.
Well,doctor?she asked anxiously.
The stout,gray-haired old physician--he had practiced in Trumet for nearly thirty years--shook his head.
Not a single chance,he whispered.He may possibly live till morning,but I doubt if he lasts an hour.It's his heart.I've expected it at any time.Ever since he had that shock,I've been at him to take things easy;but you might as well talk to a graven image.That Come-Outer foolishness is what really killed him,though just what brought on this attack I can't make out.Grace says she found him lying on the floor by the sofa.He was unconscious then.I'm rather worried about her.She was very near to fainting when I got here.No wonder.All alone in this ark of a house and nobody to help or to send.Lucky she found that Ike Higgins.Say,I wonder if the young one's around here now?If he is,he must stand at the gate and scare off Come-Outers.The whole chapel,mates,crew,and cabin boy,'ll be down here soon's meetin's over to see what kept Eben.And they mustn't get in.I should say not.I'll hunt up Ike.If a Come-Outer gets into this house to-night I'll eat him,that's all.Some of 'em would give you dyspepsy,I guess.Yes,Grace,I'll be there in a jiffy.The doctor left the house to find young Higgins and post him at the gate.The boy,who had been listening under the window,was proud of his new responsibility.
