"Nay, Mrs. Livesey, things are not that bad," said Richard, relieved to find himself in the position of one who brings comparatively good tidings, when his heart had been sinking within him at the thought of what had to be told. "Your Adam is worth any number of dead men yet. I've told you the truth. He's hurt, but nobody thinks his life is in any danger.
"It's poor Jim that's killed, the merriest, thoughtlessest chap at Rutherford's, in spite of his sharp-tongued wife. She'll be sorry she never gave him a gentle word, I daresay, now he's gone, though I fancy it will be more for the loss of his wages than his company. There must be such-like wives to be all sorts, I reckon," said Richard. "Your home is a different place from what poor Jim had to go to. Keep up your heart, Margaret. Adam's hurts are being well tended to, and you can see him soon. I'll go with you to the hospital."
Margaret's face had been growing paler as she listened to the hopeful words. She had borne up somehow, when the first great shock came. Now the revulsion of feeling was too great, and to the surprise of Richard Evans, she sank at his feet, fainting and unconscious.
With fatherly tenderness, the man succeeded in lifting Margaret from the ground and on to a couch, one of the treasured articles of furniture which formerly belonged to her mother.
Little Tom had been an eager listener to the news brought by Richard, and had just gathered that, after all, his father was still alive, when a fresh terror seized him. "Mother must be dead," he thought, for her face was white, and she neither spoke nor moved after she was laid on the couch.
Richard Evans read the child's fears in his face, and said, "You must be a man, Tom. Don't cry, but run off to the missis next door, and tell her to come this minute to your mother."
Tom had been on the point or giving vent to his feelings by a lusty roar, but the firm words of Richard Evans checked the sound, and subsiding into mere tears, he ran off to obey his orders.
The neighbour returned with him immediately, and Richard gave Margaret into her care. Then he sent Tom on another errand.
"You know where I live, little chap, don't you?" he said.
"Yes," replied Tom.