It was too early to make a close examination, and Frank could only content himself with hearing the carefully worded reports of the physicians and the nurse.
Morning came to find a very weary young man still waiting nervously around the hospital for better word of his father’s condition.
Lanky Wallace, who had tried to be of assistance to Frank after the accident, but who had gone home at his earnest solicitation, now came to the hospital and took him away for breakfast.
After breakfast Frank went to the store, and, with several of the clerks, attended to laying out plans for repairs and also for getting things straight.
The actual damage, from a financial point of view, was not great, though the entire stock had been subjected to damage by water and smoke. The cleaning and brightening of the store would require some days.
Before going home to get a rest which was so needed, he sat in conference with his father’s friends and the banker, making preparations for the contractor to take charge of all repair work.
This done, and noon-time having arrived, Frank returned to the hospital, to receive the joyful news that his father had regained consciousness and was able to talk with him, though only for a limited number of minutes.
Frank explained what had been done, and the smile on his father’s face indicated that a great deal of worry had been removed. The doctor standing close by nodded his approval of the things which Frank related.
“Getting his mind in a quiet frame will help much toward bringing him around,” remarked the physician. Then Frank was told to leave and, also, that he must not return to see his father until late in the evening, when the promise was that he would be even more improved.
Evening came, finding Frank much rested and back at the hospital. The nurse was the only one present, and informed him that his father was decidedly better, his consciousness fully regained, that no signs had yet shown themselves to indicate any internal injuries—that, in short, all was going well.