Bill had no difficulty ascertaining, and returned quickly with the news.
"I knew it!" exclaimed Agnes, excitedly. "I just felt that something was the matter," whereupon she got into a light coat and followed her father and brothers to where he lay outside the barn door, bleeding freely from the temple.
They carried him into their house, and were cheered to see that the blood had ceased to flow. His head was bandaged while Bill went for Doc. Slater, who pronounced the wound serious but not fatal. He awakened later in the day and called for water. It was brought him forthwith by Agnes.
When he had drunk deeply and lay back weakly upon the pillow, he heard:
"How do you feel, Jean?" He looked around in the semi-darkness of the room, and upon seeing her, sighed before answering. When he did it was a groan. She came quickly to where he lay and bent over him.
"Jean," she repeated softly, tenderly. "How do you feel? Does your head pain you much?"
"Where am I?" he said, turning his face toward her. She put her hand lightly over his bandaged head.
"You're here, Jean. At Stewart's. You are hurt, do you understand?"
"Hurt?" he repeated abstractedly.
"Yes, hurt, Jean. You were kicked on the temple by one of your horses."