No, I laid to, helped by my trusty Josiah. And in an hour’s time we see a difference in his breathin’, and anon he fell into a sweet sleep.
And when he waked up that man looked and acted better. And three days and nights did we stay by him, a doctorin’ him up and a gettin’ him nourishin’ things to eat, and a talkin’ encouragin’ and pleasant things to him (good land! the soul and mind has got to be fed as well as the body if you don’t want to starve to death inwardly). And lo and behold! when we left Howletts Bridge and returned to Belle Fanchon, who should accompany us thither but Cousin John Richard Allen!
He had consented, after a deep parley, to go there and rest off for a few weeks.
Maggie and Thomas J. took to him from the very first, and give him a hearty welcome and the best bedroom. They appreciated the noble, martyrous life he had led, and honored him for it.
And the children acted dretful tickled to see him. You needn’t tell me but what Boy knew all about it when I introduced Cousin John Richard to him. To be sure, he wuzn’t only six months old.
But if he didn’t know him, and if he wuzn’t glad to see the relation on his grandmother’s side, what made him laugh all over his face, eyes and all?
I presume the Doctor would have called it “wind.” But I called it perfect courtesy and good manners towards a honored and onexpected guest. That is what I called it. He acted like a perfect little gentleman, and I wuz proud of him.
Snow, the sweet darlin’, went right up to him, with her little snowflake of a hand held out in a warm welcome, and kissed him jest as she did her Grandpa. Oh, what a child—what a child for behavior! I never see her equal, and don’t expect to—nor Josiah don’t either.
Wall, Cousin John Richard jest settled down in that sweet, lovin’ home into a perfect, happy rest—to all appearances—and gained every day.