"This is Mrs. Matthews," Mrs. Codman said. "She will be happy to tell you what a heroine your Fanny has been. I must run away, or I shall be late."
Mrs. Matthews repeated some of the particulars of the dreadful accident, and then, seeing how hard it was for the young man to control his feelings, rose, and calling the children, left the room with them.
"My own Fanny," he said, putting his hand softly on her head, "I wish I could bear this dreadful pain for you. How could you expose your precious life? What should I have done if you too"—
He stopped suddenly, and walked to the window, but soon returned at the sound of her voice, saying,—
"James, you are making quite too much of what I did. Any one would have done the same. I could never look you in the face if I had not tried to relieve such terrible suffering. But Oh, it was dreadful! I cannot forget it."
Tears filled her eyes, and he tenderly wiped them away.
"I cannot sleep," she went on, "except under the influence of anodynes. The shrieks and groans ring in my ears."
"Your nervous system has had a shock, and it will take time to recover. You know I have been studying a little medicine, and I shall take you for my first patient. I prescribe perfect rest, and that you see no one but me."
Fanny laughed. "Josey will have something to say to that," she began. "He has been the most unwearied little nurse, and his face has grown very sad."