Paul was greatly relieved by this assurance, though it was still evident from the manner of the gentleman, and the speed at which he drove the horse, that some dreadful event had occurred. His conscience smote him for his disobedience to his mother, and he was not in a fit moral condition to meet the shock of adversity with courage and fortitude. He would have given the world, in that anxious moment, to have undone the work of the last three hours, and effaced their record from his conscience.
"Tell me what has happened, if you please, sir," he continued. "Is any of the folks dead? You say it is not my mother."
"Your mother is quite well, and none of your family are dead, though——"
Captain Littleton paused, and looked at the boy's face, which was still bathed in tears. He saw the misery that he was enduring, and he hesitated to utter words which he knew must carry grief and woe to his heart.
"You must be calm and firm, Paul," continued the kind gentleman. "It is not so bad as you suppose, and we may hope for the best. Your father has just met with a serious accident."
"Is he dead, sir?" gasped Paul. "You don't tell me the whole story, sir."
"He is not dead, Paul; but he is very badly hurt."
"He is alive, then?"
"He is."