“Hope you is feelin’ some better, sir,” he said.  “Don’t you be talkin’, for if you isn’t t’won’t be no time afore you is.  You’re sure in luck as how I could bring him, an’ I’ll jist lay yer a quintal as how he’s goin’ to fix yer shipshape.”

Then there was a knock at the door and a dripping woman entered.  There was not the slightest trace of timidity in her manner.  Really, Aunt Jennie, I thought at first that she was the most awful frump I had ever seen.  Her head was wrapped in a soaking little shawl, and her dress was a remnant of grand-mother’s days.  Yet the poise of her head, the pleasant smile upon her face and, more than all, her delightful voice, gave an immediate hint of infinitely good breeding.

“Can’t I help?” she asked.  “I’d be awfully glad to.  I should have been in before but I was detained at the Burtons’.  Had to look after the woman during your absence, Dr. Grant.”

“I beg to introduce the providence of Sweetapple Cove,” said the doctor.  “Mrs. Barnett is the one person who proves the vulgar error that none of us is indispensable.”

She threw off her shawl, laughing.

“The doctor and I often hunt in couples,” she explained.

Her voice was really the most delightful thing you ever heard.  I forgot her clothes, and her big boots, and went up to her, holding out my hand.

“Won’t you let me take your shawl?” I asked.  “It is sopping wet.”

“I had an umbrella when I first came here,” she said, “but it blew over the cliffs long ago.  Thanks, ever so much.  And now what can I do?”

“You are always on hand when help is needed, Mrs. Barnett,” said the doctor.  “Thank you for coming.  I shall need you in a minute.”

She gave him a quick little friendly nod and went to the bed.

“I hope that you are not suffering too much,” she told Daddy.  “Dr. Grant will have you all right in a jiffy.”

“Thank you, madam,” said Daddy, staring at her.

The doctor had been pulling endless things out of his bag.  For all of their size his hands showed a quality of gentle firmness that was quite surprising and Daddy, under his ministrations, appeared to become less apprehensive.

“Now, Mrs. Barnett,” directed Dr. Grant.  “One hand under the knee, if you please, and the other should hold the heel.  That’s the way.”

Rapidly he wound some cotton batting about the injured limb.  Daddy had given one awful groan when his leg was pulled straight, but now he watched the winding of bandages and the application of plaster of Paris without saying a word.  The doctor finally rubbed the whole thing smooth.

“That’s all right now,” he said.  “We will let the leg down again.”

Between them they gently lowered the limb upon a hollowed pillow, and Daddy looked much relieved.

“That is all for the present,” said the doctor.  “I hope we didn’t hurt you too much, Mr. Jelliffe.”