"Well, I wouldn't say there is no danger," was Jeduthun's prudent reply. "It is an ugly business—a wound in the knee—but we shall see when Dr. Rose comes."
"Dr. Green won't like it if we call in any one else," said Flora.
"Then he may give it up," replied Jeduthun, conclusively. "I guess he hain't got a patent-right to all the legs in Lake county! If Green was a real surgeon, he wouldn't be in such a hurry to cut off folks's legs."
Mr. Antis had sent a telegraphic message to Mr. Francis with the first dawn of light, and ten o'clock brought with it the old gentleman, together with Dr. Porter and Dr. Rose from the Cure. Both the young and the old surgeon laughed at the idea of amputation.
"It is a bad wound, and will be a long time in getting well, and I am afraid it is more than likely the knee will be stiff," said Dr. Porter; "but as for the boy's losing his leg, you may put that entirely out of your head, Mrs. Fairchild. I have not the least idea that it will be necessary."
"I'm sure I'm very glad to hear it," said Mrs. Fairchild, wiping her eyes. "Of course we ought not to murmur so long as his life is spared, but it did seem a dreadful thing that my boy should lose his leg. I've thought this morning it might be a judgment on me because I was so fond and proud of him."
"And so you ought to be!" returned the doctor. "That's a heathenish idea, and unworthy of a woman of your good sense. Why do you think the Lord sent you such a son, except that you might be fond and proud of him?"
"I think there is something in that," said Mrs. Fairchild; "but my aunt that partly brought me up used to be always talking about judgments, and about the Lord taking away our idols. I'm sure I never meant to make an idol of Eben; but you see, being all the boy we had, and such a comfort as he always was—But Mr. Fairchild, he thought just as you do. How well I remember," continued Mrs. Fairchild, accepting a pinch from the doctor's snuff-box, "how often I've thought of what Mr. Wilbur said to us when we adopted Eben. 'You'll never have no comfort with him,' says he. 'Adopted children are always a curse. It's flying in the face of Providence,' says he. And Mr. Fairchild, says he, 'Seems to me, neighbour, if Providence puts a destitute orphan child into my hands, and gives me the means to take care of him, it shows pretty plainly that Providence means I should do it,' says he."
"Poor man! He won't have much comfort out of his own son," said Dr. Porter.
"I know it. Ain't it dreadful? And to think, after all Mr. Antis tried to do for him, that he should have acted such a treacherous part! Mr. Antis says Tom came into the bank while he was there and saw him draw the money, so it must have been he that gave information to the robbers. When do you think we can move Eben down home, Dr. Porter?"