Tad watched and followed and in another minute the two boys dropped into a bed of sweet fern, Kitty on his feet and Tad on his back. “Don’t mind—me,” muttered Tad, closing his eyes. “I—I’m sort of done up, I guess.” Then his white face suddenly went whiter still and Matty, who, closely followed by May, had run up in Rodney’s wake, exclaimed, “Oh, Rod, he’s fainted!”
CHAPTER XVIII
LUDLOW SCORES A SAFETY
“Won’t hurt him,” said Kitty. “Get some water, someone.” May and Matty dashed helter skelter in the direction of the spring before they realized that they had nothing to bring water back in. Rodney, however, who had brought the cups from the ledge when he had gone for the coats, tumbled them out of a box and sped after the girls. When they got back Tad’s eyelids were already fluttering, and when Matty had applied her handkerchief, dipped in water from a cup, to Tad’s forehead the latter heaved a deep sigh and looked about him.
“Where the dickens—” he began. Then recollection returned and he frowned. “Gee, I went and fainted, didn’t I?” he asked disgustedly. “Ain’t I the fine little hero? Say, let’s go home!”
“Don’t get up yet,” begged Matty. “You’d better rest awhile. Hadn’t he, Phineas?”
“Yes. Got a long walk ahead. Better have a good rest.”
“Put your head in my lap, Tad,” said Matty, seating herself on the ground. “You’ll be more comfortable.”