One boy after another turned away from the sight of his foot, when the stone was removed. Tooke fainted, but, then, so did another boy who had nothing to do with the matter. Everybody who came up asked who did it; and nobody could answer. Tooke did not hear; and so many felt themselves concerned, that no one wished that any answer should be given.
“Who did it, my dear boy?” asked Firth, bending over him.
“Never mind!” was all Hugh could say. He groaned in terrible pain.
He must not lie there; but who could touch him? Firth did; and he was the right person, as he was one of the strongest. He made two boys pass their handkerchiefs under the leg, and sling it, without touching it; and he lifted Hugh, and carried him across his arms towards the house. They met Mr Tooke, and every person belonging to the household, before they reached the door.
“To my bed!” said the master, when he saw: and in an instant the gardener had his orders to saddle Mr Tooke’s horse, and ride to London for an eminent surgeon: stopping by the way to beg Mr and Mrs Shaw to come, and bring with them the surgeon who was their neighbour, Mr Annanby.
“Who did it?”
“Who pulled him down?” passed from mouth to mouth of the household.
“He won’t tell,—noble fellow,” cried Firth. “Don’t ask him. Never ask him who pulled him down.”
“You will never repent it, my dear boy,” whispered Firth. Hugh tried to smile, but he could not help groaning again. There was a suppressed groan from some one else. It was from Mr Tooke. Hugh was sadly afraid he had, by some means, found out who did the mischief. But it was not so. Mr Tooke was quite wretched enough without that.
Everybody was very kind, and did the best that could be done. Hugh was held up on the side of Mr Tooke’s bed, while Mrs Watson took off his clothes, cutting the left side of his trousers to pieces, without any hesitation. The master held the leg firmly while the undressing went on; and then poor Hugh was laid back, and covered up warm, while the foot was placed on a pillow, with only a light handkerchief thrown over it.