“Never mind, darling, it’s all right,” said Mr. Fairfield, soothingly, as he kissed the pale brow, and carried Patty up the steps and into the house. He laid her on a couch, and, under Nan’s gentle ministrations, she soon revived.
Meantime, Henry Hampton was telling the tale as he had understood it.
“Mighty slick piece of work!” he said. “Never saw anything like it in my life! That young fellow ought to have medals pinned all over him.”
“There, there, Mr. Hampton, that’ll be about all,” said Philip, trying to shut off the tide of compliments from the stranger.
“No, ’taint about all!” declared Mr. Hampton, wagging his head, “but I guess the little lady can tell you the story, once she feels like herself again. I must be gettin’ along now, but I just want to remark, edgewise, that I’ve seen lots of pluck and bravery in my day, but for hair-trigger intellect, coolheadedness, pluck, and plumb bravery, I never saw such an exhibition as this here chap put up to-day! Good-afternoon, all;” and, with a wave of his hand, Mr. Hampton went away.
Philip was the hero of the hour, but he would not admit that he had done anything praiseworthy or unusual.
“There was only one thing to do,” he said; “only one possible chance to take, and of course I took it; and almost by a miracle it went through all right, and we smashed the car, but saved our lives.”
“Don’t you listen to him!” called out Patty. “You people come in here, and I’ll tell you all about it! I was driving, and it was next to impossible for Philip to get hold of the bars, across me. But he did it! and he did it in time! and he did it exactly right! And I just sat there paralysed with fear, and unable to move. But I suppose you don’t expect a girl to be very brave,—and I sort of collapsed, I know. But Philip is a hero, and I want him appreciated as such.”
“He is, Patty dear,” said her father; “and, though he’s awfully modest himself about his brave deed, he has the honour and respect and gratitude of all of us for his wonderful quickness of brain and hand that saved his own life,—and that of my little girl.”
Mr. Fairfield’s voice broke as he folded Patty in his arms, and he kissed her with all of a father’s love for the treasure he had so nearly lost.