573“Just one little bone broken in his leg. He’ll be out from under the ether in a second. But I’ll–Oh, I’ll make that Calvin outfit sweat; I’ll–”
“Oh, no, you won’t, father–little Joe doesn’t know any better. Mamma can just forget to invite his wife to our next party–which I won’t let her do–not even that–but it would avenge my wrongs a thousand times over.”
Lila had Kenyon’s hand, and Mrs. Nesbit was rubbing his brow, when he opened his eyes and smiled. Laura and the Doctor, knowing their wife and mother, had left her and Lila together with the awakening lover. His eyes first caught Mrs. Nesbit’s who bent over him and whispered:
“Oh, my brave, brave boy–my noble–chivalrous son–”
Kenyon smiled and his great black eyes looked into the elder woman’s as he clutched Lila’s hand.
“Lila,” he said feebly, “where is it–run and get it.”
“Oh, it’s up in my room, grandma–wait a minute–it’s up in my room.” She scurried out of the door and came dancing down the stairs in a moment with a jewel on her finger. The grandmother’s eyes were wet, and she bent over and kissed the young, full lips into which life was flowing back so beautifully.
“Now–me!” cried Lila, and as she, too, bent down she felt the great, strong arms of her grandmother enfolding her in a mighty hug. There, in due course, the Doctor and Laura found them. A smile, the first that had wreathed his wrinkled face for an hour, twitched over the loose skin about his old lips and eyes.
“The Lord,” he piped, “moves in a mysterious way–my dear–and if Laura had to go to jail to bring it–the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away–blessed be–”
“Well, Kenyon,” the grandmother interrupted the Doctor, stooping to put her fingers lovingly upon his brow, “we owe everything to you; it was fine and courageous of you, son!”