Everything possible was done for Ephraim’s eyes, but it was a long time before he was much relieved from the agony he was suffering. Then he was taken to the hotel, with a bandage over his eyes, and a doctor came to attend him.
The physician said he would do everything possible to get Ephraim into shape to play that evening, but he did not give a positive assurance that he would be able to do so. As soon as Frank heard of the misfortune which had befallen the Vermont youth, he hastened to the hotel and to the room where Ephraim was lying on the bed.
Gallup heard his step and recognized it when he entered.
“I’m slappin’ glad yeou’ve come, Frank!” he exclaimed.
“And I am terribly sorry you have met with such a misfortune, Ephraim,” declared Merry.
“So be I, Frank—so be I! But I’m goin’ ter play my part ter-night ur bu’st my galluses tryin’! I ain’t goin’ to knock aout the show ef I kin help it.”
“That was not what I meant. I was sorry because of the pain you must have suffered.”
“Waal, it was ruther tough,” the faithful country lad confessed. “By gum! it was jest as ef somebody’d chucked a hull lot of coals right inter my lookers. It jest knocked me silly, same ez if I’d bin hit with a club.”
“How did it happen? Tell me all about it.”
Ephraim told the story of his adventure, finishing with: