"Dr. Gibson, he said; but he's away off to Thirlwall; and he's been lying here all the morning a'ready! nobody found him he couldn't make us hear. Oh, isn't it dreadful!"
"Oh, don't cry so, dear Mrs. Van Brunt," said Ellen, pressing her cheek to the poor old lady's; "he'll be better he will! I've got the Brownie here and I'll ride over to Mrs. Hitchcock's and get somebody to go right away for the doctor. I won't be long we'll have him here in a little while! don't feel so bad!"
"You're a dear blessed darling!" said the old lady, hugging and kissing her "if ever there was one. Make haste, dear, if you love him! he loves you."
Ellen stayed but to give another kiss. Trembling so that she could hardly stand, she made her way back to the house, led out the Brownie again, and set off, full speed for Mrs. Hitchcock's. It was well her pony was sure-footed, for, letting the reins hang, Ellen bent over his neck, crying bitterly, only urging him now and then to greater speed; till at length the feeling that she had something to do came to her help. She straightened herself, gathered up her reins, and by the time she reached Mrs. Hitchcock's, was looking calm again, though very sad and very earnest. She did not alight, but stopped before the door, and called Jenny. Jenny came out, expressing her pleasure.
"Dear Jenny," said Ellen "isn't there somebody here that will go right off to Thirlwall for Dr. Gibson? Mr. Van Brunt has broken his leg, I am afraid, and wants the doctor directly."
"Why, dear Ellen," said Jenny, "the men have just gone off this minute to Mrs. Van Brunt's. Nancy was here for them to come and help move him in a great hurry. How did it happen? I couldn't get anything out of Nancy."
"He fell down through the trap-door. But, dear Jenny, isn't there anybody about? Oh," said Ellen, clasping her hands "I want somebody to go for the doctor so much!"
"There ain't a living soul!" said Jenny; "two of the men and all the teams are 'way on the other side of the hill, ploughing, and pa, and June, and Black Bill have gone over, as I told you; but I don't believe they'll be enough. Where's his leg broke?"
"I didn't meet them," said Ellen; "I came away only a little while after Nancy."
"They went 'cross lots, I guess that's how it was; and that's the way Nancy got the start of you."