“Thank you! Thank you ever so much,” answered Madge. “I––I think we’d better hurry on.”
Stefan had found the letter and handed it to Mrs. Carew.
“Wait a moment, Stefan, won’t you?” asked the woman. “There might possibly be some message you could take for me.”
The man lit his pipe while the woman went indoors. A moment later she came out, excitedly.
“Oh! Stefan,” she cried. “I’m so glad you came. My man’s away with the dogs, gone after a load of moose-meat, and won’t be back till to-morrow. And my daughter Mary’s very sick at Missanaibie and wants 97 me to come right over. Could you take me over to the depot in time for the afternoon train west? Are you going back to-day?”
Stefan pulled out a big silver watch and studied it.
“Yes, ma’am,” he answered. “I’m yoost goin’ over to Hugo’s wid dis leddy. If I go real smart I can get back in time, but I got to hurry a bit. So long! I come right soon back. Leave a vord for Tom und be ready de moment I come. I make it, sure!”
With this assurance he started off again, while the woman was still crying out her thanks. There was a long bit of good going now, which they covered at a good pace. Madge was thinking how helpful all these people were, how naturally they gave, how readily they asked for the help that was always welcome, as far as she could see. Yes, it was all so very different.
“Won’t the dogs be dreadfully tired,” she asked, “if you go back so soon?”
“No, leddy,” he asserted. “Twenty-four miles ain’t much of a trip. Dey make tvice dat if need come. And me too, sure t’ing!”