"I think you're interested in Tom Triggs, aren't you?" he said. "He has met with an accident, and would like to see you. Would your aunt let you come with me to see him this afternoon? He has been taken to the Cottage Hospital!"
"Oh, poor Tom! What's the matter with him?"
"Well, it seems that he was quite sober. In fact, he had been mending a gate for old Mrs. Crake, and had told her niece he had knocked off the drink altogether. On his way back, a motor swung round the corner and nearly killed a child. He saved the child, but got knocked over himself, and has a leg badly broken."
Tears came into Harebell's eyes.
"Aunt Diana won't let me speak to him ever again. Poor Tom! Is he going to die?"
"I hope not. Shall I come round this afternoon and ask your aunt to let you come with me to see him? I quite understand her not wishing you to be making friends with him, as for some time he has not borne the best of characters. But he is ill now. It makes a difference."
"Please come. I should love to see him!"
"Very well. I shall call about three o'clock."
Harebell returned home partly comforted.
She told her aunt of the accident at dinner-time.