They could see three dark shadows sometimes on the blind of the room where Marion lay, and though they tried to go on with their work, the ice often numbed their fingers as they absently held a lump in their hands and gazed up for some sign of Nessa coming. After one of those long looks Murtagh had just begun pounding again, when suddenly the door opened, and the doctor's voice called cheerily from the blaze of light that streamed out over the steps: "Where are you, my young workers? Your ice has saved her life."
Till those words lifted the load off their hearts, the children scarcely knew how heavy it had been.
"She won't die?" said Murtagh, eagerly springing to the bottom of the steps.
"No, no," replied the doctor; "not now, if she has the same nursing through the night."
Then Nessa appeared behind the doctor, and joined her assurance to his.
She was to stay and spend the night with Marion, but the doctor insisted on driving the children home in his gig. He was a tender-hearted man, who had a lot of merry little brothers and sisters at home, and the idea of children being so troubled as these was to him unnatural. It would have disturbed him to think of them after he got home, so as they drove along he made light of Marion's danger, and talked and laughed with them, till by the time they reached the house they were in quite a bright mood.
After the doctor left them they stopped on the steps to bid Royal good night, and kneeling down beside him, Winnie said:
"We've been very miserable to-day, Royal—very miserable; but it is wonderful how things always come right after. They always do, Royal; so if ever you're miserable, you can remember that."
Royal looked solemnly at her as though he understood every word, but as she finished he put a paw upon each of her shoulders, and by way of answer gravely licked her face.
Bobbo burst out laughing, and the others followed his example.