“Your help will not be needed, with so many others, and you can cheer us with your presence after you get home in the afternoon,” returned the captain in kindly, appreciative tones. “Are Eva and the baby well, Max?” he asked, turning to his son.
“Quite well, thank you, father, and you will probably see us all at Woodburn in an hour or so.”
With that Chester and the captain departed.
At Ion, Mrs. Elsie Travilla came down to breakfast evidently attired for a drive or walk. No one was surprised, for the news of Ned Raymond’s serious illness had already gone through the house, causing sorrow and anxiety to the whole family.
Herbert, too, was ready for a drive, and presently after leaving the table took his mother over to Woodburn in his gig. Dr. Conly also arrived about the same time, having been telephoned to in regard to the illness of his young relative.
Several days followed that were sad ones to not only the immediate Woodburn and Sunnyside families, to whom little Ned was so near and dear, but to the other more distant relatives and friends. All of them were ready and anxious to do anything and everything in their power for the relief of the young sufferer and to comfort and help the grieved and anxious parents.
But Harold’s skill and knowledge of the disease and the most potent and effectual remedies did more than all other human means to remove it and restore the young lad to health. Harold was at length able to pronounce his young patient free from disease and on a fair road to entire recovery of health. Violet embraced her brother and wept for joy, while the father and sisters—the older brother also—were scarcely less glad and thankful.
“Come into the library, Harold, and let us have a little private chat,” the captain said, in tones husky with emotion.
For some moments they sat in silence, the captain evidently too much moved to command his voice in speech. But at length he spoke in low, trembling tones.
“Brother Harold, dear fellow, I can never thank you enough for saving the life of my little son;—you were the instrument in the hands of God our Heavenly Father. Money cannot pay the debt, but I should like to give a liberal fee as an expression of the gratitude felt by us all, especially your Sister Violet and myself.”