The doctor was already at the gate untying Spry when they reached it.
“Now, my little folks,” said he, “is your chance to see the poor fellow. He’s a plucky lad, and will make a glorious pull through life, I know.”
“Thank you,” said Frank, although he could not have told what he was thanking the doctor for, while Kate, who had made up her mind that Harry was a kind of hero—what kind she did not know—could have kissed the old doctor, for just thinking well of the lad.
“There! there! It’s all over now, and you’ll have a nice long rest,” Grandma Dobson was saying, while she softly patted and petted Harry; and there, right in the room, having entered like two healthy spirits, stood Kate and Frank.
Harry did not see them, for his eyes were covered by a bandage.
Frank went close to him, saying “I’m the boy who helped you wash dishes, and, I say, it’s too bad you fell and got hurt. Here’s my sister Kate come to see you, too.”
“I’m very sorry I can’t see her,” said Harry. “My head will be all right in a little while. I’m not much hurt. I felt ashamed to make a noise when the doctor touched my arm. If you could have seen the poor folks in the fire, and how brave they were—one woman carrying her baby two miles with her hands burned awfully in trying to get it out of the house, you wouldn’t feel so sorry for me.”
“I should, Harry,” spoke up Kate, “and I’m Kate Hallock. I saw you over the stone wall when you were riding into town on that pony.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t better worth seeing,” said Harry, “and I’m much obliged to you for coming here to-day.”
“I wanted to come,” said Kate.