"Yes, Jeff?"
"Wher's the red willow? How far away?"
"A few yards."
"Can you help me up?" The question came after a long considering pause. It came with a certain eagerness.
But Nan remonstrated with all her might.
"No, no, Jeff," she cried, in serious alarm. "You mustn't. True you mustn't. It'll kill you to move now."
Her appeal was quite without effect.
"Then I'll have to do it myself."
Jeff's obstinate decision was immovable, and in the end the girl was forced to give way.
The sick man endured five minutes of the intensest agony in the effort required. Twice he nearly fainted, but, in the end, he stood beside the somewhat huddled figure under the red willow, gasping under the excruciation of internal pains.