"Don't be in a hurry about leaving us, Frank," said Dick cordially. "Maud has been calculating on at least a few days more of your good company; and there's no telling when you may find it convenient to pay us another visit."
"Thanks, Dick; you are hospitality itself; and this is a lovely home you have secured, for yourself and Maud. I'll sleep on the question of the time of departure. And now good-night and pleasant dreams. I hope none of your patients will call you out before sunrise."
And with that they separated, each to seek his own sleeping apartment.
For some hours all was darkness and silence within and without the house. Then the doctor was awakened by the ringing of his night bell.
"What is wanted?" he asked, going to the open window.
"You, doctah, fast as you kin git dar, down to Lamont—ole Massa
Gest's place. Leetle Miss Nellie she got a fit."
"Indeed! I am very sorry to hear it. I'll be there as soon as possible," and turning from the window the doctor rang for his servant, ordered horses saddled and brought to a side door, then hurried on his clothes, explaining matters to the now awakened Maud as he did so—gathered up the remedies likely to be needed, and hastened away.
Directing his servant to keep close in his rear he rode rapidly in the direction of the place named by the messenger. He found the child very ill and not fit to be left by him until early morning.
It was in the darkest hour, just before day, that he started for home again. All went well till he was within a few rods of home, but then his horse—a rather wild young animal—took fright at the hoot of an owl in a tree close at hand, reared suddenly and threw him violently to the ground, then rushed away in the direction of his stable.
"Oh, doctah, sah, is you bad hurted?" queried the servant man, hastily alighting and coming to his master's side.