There did not seem to be anybody in the kitchen, into which they could look through the open doorway, though they could hear steps and voices from some part of the house beyond it; and it was not until they had knocked again loudly that a woman came to answer them, looking worried and pale.

“I never was so glad to see folks, though I don’t know who you be,” she said hurriedly.  “I believe I shall have to ask you to go for help.  My man’s got hurt; he managed to get home, but he’s broke his shoulder, or any ways ‘tis out o’ place.  He was to the pasture, and we’ve got some young cattle, and somehow or ’nother one he’d caught and was meaning to lead home give a jump, and John lost his balance; he says he can’t see how ’t should ‘a’ happened, but over he went and got jammed against a rock before he could let go o’ the rope he’d put round the critter’s neck.  He’s in dreadful pain so ’t I couldn’t leave him, and there’s nobody but me an’ the baby.  You’ll have to go to the next house and ask them to send; Doctor Bent’s always attended of us.”

“Let me see him,” said Nan with decision.  “Wait a minute, Mr. Gerry, or perhaps you had better come in too,” and she led the way, while the surprised young man and the mistress of the house followed her.  The patient was a strong young fellow, who sat on the edge of the bed in the little kitchen-bedroom, pale as ashes, and holding one elbow with a look of complete misery, though he stopped his groans as the strangers came in.

“Lord bless you, young man! don’t wait here,” he said; “tell the doctor it may only be out o’ place, but I feel as if ’twas broke.”

But Nan had taken a pair of scissors from the high mantelpiece and was making a cut in the coarse, white shirt, which was already torn and stained by its contact with the ground, and with quick fingers and a look of deep interest made herself sure what had happened, when she stood still for a minute and seemed a little anxious, and all at once entirely determined.  “Just lie down on the floor a minute,” she said, and the patient with some exclamations, but no objections, obeyed.

Nan pushed the spectators into the doorway of the kitchen, and quickly stooped and unbuttoned her right boot, and then planted her foot on the damaged shoulder and caught up the hand and gave a quick pull, the secret of which nobody understood; but there was an unpleasant cluck as the bone went back into its socket, and a yell from the sufferer, who scrambled to his feet.

“I’ll be hanged if she ain’t set it,” he said, looking quite weak and very much astonished.  “You’re the smartest young woman I ever see.  I shall have to lay down just to pull my wits together.  Marthy, a drink of water,” and by the time this was brought the excitement seemed to be at an end, though the patient was a little faint, and his wife looked at Nan admiringly.  Nan herself was fastening her boot again with unwonted composure.  George Gerry had not a word to say,