They found him hobbling about on crutches in the grounds of the Hospital.
“How long have you been here, Hiram?” was Quincy's first question.
“About twelve weeks. You see, besides breaking my leg I cracked my knee pan an' that's made it wuss.”
“We'll fix you up very soon. I'll get you an artificial leg from New York. You'll be able to walk all right but you mustn't do any heavy lifting.”
“Guess I shan't have no chance to lift anything now Strout's got the store.”
“Don't worry about that, Hiram. There are towns that have two stores in them. How's Mandy?”
{Illustration: “'JUST LIKE YOU TO COME SPYIN' ROUND. YOU ALLERS WAS A MEDDLER.'”}
“Gettin' along all right. Mr. Pettingill, there, sends a man over to help her, and Mrs. Crowley is as good as two any day.”
“Don't worry, Hiram. You'll come out on top yet”
“If I do, 'twill be because you'll put me there, I reckon.”