“No, but you are hurt, and need help. I cannot let you go home alone.”
James tried to get up a brave laugh; but the blow had made him dizzy, and he staggered forward rather than walked.
“Where do you live? Not far from here, I suppose,” inquired the stranger, with gentle kindness.
“Oh! I live in one place and tend store in another,” answered the boy.
“You had better go home, then, and I will get a doctor to put something on your forehead.”
“What, a doctor for this? Oh, my! that would be funny! The boys would all laugh at me!”
“Still you have had a serious fall, and such things are often dangerous. Tell me where you live?”
“Well, sir, if you insist upon it, I am going right by the house. It won’t take long to put a piece of wet paper on a fellow’s forehead; and as you want to see it done, I haven’t any objection, though mother and Ruthy will be surprised.”
So James, unconscious of the tender gratitude which prompted the act, gave one hand to the stranger, and the two walked along together.
“What is your name, my little man?” inquired the stranger, greatly interested in the boy.