Doctor Meigs made no reply, but rose to take his leave; and after showing the physician to the door Mr. Williams turned into the sitting room, where the lamps had been lighted. All the children were there but Annabel, who was reported to have fallen asleep, and it was good to observe how eagerly they clustered about their father’s knee, and how fond they seemed to be of him.
Mrs. Williams presently sent word that she was “so upset by Annabel’s careless accident” that she would dine alone in her own room, and the children greeted this announcement with a whoop of delight that made their father frown and turn more red than usual, with shamed chagrin. They trooped into the dining room happy and content, and as soon as they were seated, began to chatter of Will Carden.
“Do you know him?” asked the father.
“Know Will Carden! Well, I guess we do!” replied boisterous Reginald.
“We all like Will,” said Mary Louise, in her gentle voice; “and if he had not been so prompt to rescue Annabel I am sure she would have been drowned, for everyone else was too frightened to move. But Will didn’t wait a minute. He plunged right in after her.”
“He is a brave boy,” said Mr. Williams.
“And he can do lots of things,” remarked Theodore, slowly.
“He fixted my dolly’s leg!” shouted Gladys, anxious to testify in her friend’s behalf.
“Yes, and mamma sent him about his business, and wouldn’t let him play with us,” added Reggie, in a grieved tone.
“Why?” asked the father.