“Fo’ de Lawd, Miss Di!� he said, “I’se glad ter see you. Jerry done come home drenched, an’ we ’se been out searchin’—scared ter tell de col’nel.�
“You old rogue!� said the doctor, “he was the first one to tell. Miss Diana has sprained her ankle.�
“He was right,� said Diana promptly; “father would have been out in the storm and never found me. Texas, go on up and tell the colonel that I’ve hurt my ankle; I won’t have him worried, and I can’t walk well enough to deceive him.�
The doctor looked at her quizzically. “That’s right, Di,� he said, driving on; “you’ve spoilt him, but I reckon he can stand it if I can.�
“He began it,� she laughed softly; “he spoilt me first.�
Dr. Cheyney laughed too. “Perhaps he did,� he admitted gently,—“perhaps he did, but I’m not sure; you’ve got to have your trial, Diana.�
They were at the door now, and she laid her hand suddenly over the old man’s. “Dr. Cheyney,� she said, “won’t you thank Caleb Trench and tell him I’d be glad to have him come up here? I want to thank him again properly.�
“No,� said Dr. Cheyney promptly, “I won’t.�
Diana’s eyes opened. “Why?� she demanded, flushing hotly, half indignant.
The doctor looked over the top of his spectacles. “He wouldn’t come, Diana,� he said; “you wouldn’t either, in his place.�