“Luther is ha'f drownded and froze,” concluded Abner, “and the Cap'n got a bang with an oar when they jumped out of the dory that, Perez is afraid, broke his arm. I'm goin' right back to git Dr. Palmer. They tried to telephone him, but the wire's down.”
“Dear! dear! dear!” exclaimed Captain Jerry, completely demoralized by the news. “That's dreadful! I must go right down there, mustn't I? The poor fellers!”
Mrs. Snow rose to her feet quietly, but with a determined air.
“Are you goin' right back soon's you've got the Doctor, Mr. Mayo?” she asked.
“Why, no, I wa'n't. I ain't been to my store this mornin', and I'm 'fraid I ought to be there.”
To be frank, Abner was too great a sensation lover to forfeit the opportunity of springing his startling news on the community.
“Then, Josiah, you'll have to harness Dan'l and take me down. I mustn't wait another minute.”
“Why, Mrs. Snow!” expostulated Captain Jerry, “you mustn't go down there. The Doctor's goin', and I'll go, and Pashy's there already.”
But the housekeeper merely waved him aside.
“I want you to stay here with Elsie,” she said. “There's no tellin' how long I may be gone. Josiah 'll drive me down, won't you, Josiah?”