"O Ern!" she cried in choking voice. "I am that glad you've come."
For a moment she hung on him, dependent as he had never known her.
Then the child stirred, opened her eyes, saw Ernie at the foot of the bed, and smiled.
"Daddy," came her sweet little voice.
Her eyes fell on Joe; her lovely brow crumpled and she wailed,
"Don't want man."
"That's me," said Joe gently, and stole towards the door on tip-toe. Ern followed him out.
Mr. Trupp met them on the stairs.
At the outer door Joe gave a whispered account of what had happened. He had been crossing Saffrons Croft on the way up to see Ernie, when he had noticed Ruth and the children under the elms. Little Alice had seen him and come rushing through the players towards her friend. A cricket-ball had struck her on the forehead; and he had carried her home like a dead thing. Outside the cottage they had met Alf, and Ruth had asked him to go for Mr. Trupp.
Ernie ran back upstairs.