“I should say not. I'll hunt up Ike. If a Come-Outer gets into this house to-night I'll eat him, that's all.”
“Some of 'em would give you dyspepsy, I guess. Yes, Grace, I'll be there in a jiffy.”
The doctor left the house to find young Higgins and post him at the gate. The boy, who had been listening under the window, was proud of his new responsibility.
“I'll fix 'em, doctor,” he declared. “I only hope old Zeke Bassett comes. He lammed me with a horsewhip t'other day, 'cause I was ridin' behind his ox cart. If he tried to git by me, I'll bounce a rock off'n his Sunday hat.”
“Doctor,” whispered Keziah from the kitchen window. “Doctor, come quick. Nat wants you.”
Captain Nat was standing at the door of the bedroom. His face was drawn and he had seemingly grown years older since noon.
“He's come to himself, doc,” he whispered. “He don't remember how it happened or anything. And he wants us all. Why! why, Keziah! are you here?”
“Yes, Nat. I've been here a little while.”
He looked at her steadily and his eyes brightened just a trifle.
“Did you come to see me?” he asked. “Was it about what I said this—”