"I thought I'd killed you."
"Was it you?" he asked, all amazed at my self-accusation.
"Yes," I faltered.
"By gom, Noll, you did give me a sock!"
He heard Kate tripping back with the wine, and put his finger on his lips for a warning. And that was the first and last remark Jack Dobson made on the subject.
[CHAPTER XXVI]
THE WAY OF A MAID WITH A MAN
It took me to cure Jack. I administered one dose of medicine and he at once began to fill out and get strong and chesty in a manner almost absurd, whereon there was much twitting of our Kate who, in her old way, rated me soundly in public and crept up to me in private, and kissed me and wept gladly in the most approved maiden-like style.
This was the way of it. I sent Joe Braggs into Stafford the day after I got home to fetch out Master Dobson, and had him alone in my room. True he was as near and grasping as ever, but I saw even this side of him in a new light now, for he had been near and grasping for Jack. He was rather uncertain when we met; glad enough, of course, to see an old friend back again safe and sound, but dubious on the main point.
"Master Dobson," said I, "your Jack desires to wed our Kate."