“Indeed I won’t,” she answered heartily. “And I wish I could give you some more now, but the doctor said——”
Nelson never learned what the doctor said, for he fell asleep just then. Later there was another brief waking spell and more hot broth. And then, in some strange way, it became morning, and the sun was shining in the window at the foot of the bed, and the birds were celebrating the passing of the storm. While he was still stretching his limbs and trying to recollect things the door opened and Mr. Carey came in.
“Well, how’s the boy, eh?” he asked. “Feeling pretty good after your bath, are you?”
“Fine, sir. Can I get up?”
“Surely you can. Breakfast will be ready in half an hour. I’ll send your clothes up; I guess they’re dry by this time. Take your time and rest off if you feel weak. I’ll look in again presently to see how you’re getting on.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll be all right. Mrs. Carey said you went out and picked us up, and I’m very much obliged—I mean—” He paused, at a loss for words to express what he did mean. “It sounds awfully foolish to say you’re very much obliged to a person for saving your life, doesn’t it, sir? But I don’t know quite what to say, and——”
“Well, well, don’t let it trouble you, my boy. What we did is what any one would have done, and I’m mighty glad we were here to do it. You did a pretty plucky thing yourself, and after that our little rescue doesn’t look like much.”
“I guess we wouldn’t look like much if you hadn’t come along, sir,” said Nelson soberly. “We’re not likely to forget it, sir, I can tell you that!”
“Well, well, we won’t say anything more about it, eh? All’s well that ends well, and—er—I’ll send your clothes up.”