"Did it hurt you so? Has it almost killed you?"
The old man turned a little and bent his eyes upon her.
"It isn't that hurt," he struggled to say. "Not that."
Ruth began to tremble. She understood him.
"Oh, father!" she faltered, "who did it? How could you have been hurt?"
A stern glance shot from the sick man's eye.
"You! oh, you!"
"Oh, father! I did not know. How could I?"
The old man drew away his hand, and shook off the tears she had left upon it, with more strength than he seemed to possess.
"Hush!" he said. "You trouble me."