Val's chief concern was lest, when Ethan saw the dropped jaw and leaden eyes, he should turn and flee. "Why did they keep their old and sick in the parlor?" thought the girl, angrily.
Suddenly Mrs. Ball gave a scream. "Harry, help me to take him into his room!"
He was struggling. Ethan went forward, and he and Harry carried the old man out.
"Is he dead?" asked the girl, when Ethan came back.
"No, he's not in luck this time, I'm afraid. I've lent Harry my horse to go for the doctor. The doctor!" He gave a little dry laugh.
They stood at the window, looking out.
Surreptitiously she glanced at him.
"Oh, you wouldn't look so grave if you knew what I know," she thought to herself. "I feel it's coming all right for us. It must, it must! But I dare not say so yet;" and with her sense of superior knowledge, of being in the councils of the gods, her spirits rose.
"How can you bear to be in the house with that awful old man?" Ethan was saying.