It was all over and Hebe was released in a few seconds. But he had lost consciousness and they carried him out and put him into the Belding car.
“Shall we take him home?” Chet demanded.
“He ought to have a doctor at once,” said Laura. “Better still, he ought to be taken to the hospital.”
“That’s what we’ll do,” said Chet, quickly. “Lance, you and Purt come with me. We’ll make him easy in the tonneau. And gee! here’s the luncheon all in a jumble.”
“What did I tell you?” wailed Prettyman.
“Oh, get in! get in!” exclaimed Chet. “You can stuff your face with all those goodies while we ride into town. And maybe this poor fellow will come to his senses and try Nellie’s lemon meringue pie—it’s a dandy, Nellie!”
By the shortest road they could take—through the Four Corners—the ride to the City Hospital was bound to occupy an hour—and another to return. Meanwhile the remainder of the party had their lunch and then went after the nut harvest. Despite the incident of the wounded Pocock, the day ended happily enough and they went home at dusk with stores of chestnuts and shellbarks.
The Beldings were late, of course, and Mammy Jinny, their old black cook, held back dinner for them, but with many complaints.
“It’s jest de beatenes’ what disher fambly is a-comin’ to,” she grumbled, as she helped wait at table when the family had gathered for the belated meal. “Gits so, anyhow, dat de hull on youse is out ’most all day long. Eberything comes onter Mammy’s shoulders.”
“That’s all right, Jinny. They’re good and broad,” said Mr. Belding, for she was a privileged character.