That very evening something happened, which went far to increase the dislike and aversion of the squire to our hero, and in the end had considerable influence upon Harry’s career.
It was between eleven and twelve o’clock that Mrs. Raymond came suddenly into Harry’s room, and waked him up.
“Harry,” she said, in a tone of excitement, “Katy is taken sick, and is in great pain. I want you to put on your clothes at once, and go as fast as you can to Dr. Lamson’s.”
Harry needed no second bidding. He could hear Katy moaning, and shared in his mother’s alarm. He dressed in “double quick time,” and set off by the nearest route for the house of Dr. Lamson.
The doctor lived at a considerable distance. By the road it was full a mile and a quarter. But there was a way of cutting off from a quarter to a third of a mile by “cutting across lots.” This made the journey rather a dark and lonely one, especially as there was no moon, and there were but few stars out. Harry had a stout heart and a clear conscience, and was not easily daunted. Besides, he had his little sister to think of, and this was enough to fill his mind to the exclusion of anything else.
In due time he reached the doctor’s door, and knocked. He had to repeat his knock. Upon doing so the doctor put out his head from an upper window.
“Who’s there?” he asked.
“It’s I,—Harry Raymond.”
“Oh, it’s you, Harry. Anybody sick at home?”