"What did he say?" asked Eben.
"It sounded like 'Ethan Allen murdered,' but, perhaps, I am mistaken."
"Go and see. Stay, I will go, and if any one has killed the best man on earth I will find him and kill him!"
The blood was coursing faster through the boy's veins; the color had come back to his cheeks and he forgot his wound. His only thought was about Allen.
"You stay here; I will go and see about it."
"Let me go, please do, doctor?"
"No, you stay here. If the report is true you will need all your strength to avenge the death of the brave man."
"You are right. But, doctor, I feel right enough. I wonder what made me think I was going to die?"
"I will tell you all later. Now lie still. I will not be gone long."
"Don't be a minute, please, doctor, or I shall have to come after you."