Part 77 (1/2)
”I don't think it's broken, Jem”
”Arn't it? Well, it feels like it P'r'aps it's t'other one Try”
Don raised and replaced Je
”That isn't broken either, Jem”
”P'r'aps they're only crushed Try my arms, my lad”
These were tried in turn, and laid down
”No, Jeht I was broke all over It must be my back, and when a man's back's broke, he feels it all over Here, lend us a hand, my lad; and I'll try and walk Soon see whether a man's back's broke”
Don offered his ar, rose to his feet, gave hi and then with the other
”Why, I seeerly
”Yes, Jem”
”Think it's my ribs? I've heared say that a man don't always knohen his ribs is broke”
”Do you feel as if they were, Jem?”
”Oh, yes; just exactly All down one side, and up the other”
”Could you e? I don't like to leave you”
”Oh, yes; I think I can walk Anyhow I' to try I say, if you hear me squeak or crack anywhere, you'll stop me, won't you?”
”Of course”
”Coet there Oh, cru to lean on myself,” said Jem, stoutly ”I'm pretty sure I arn't broke, Mas' Don; but feel just as if I was cracked all over like an old pot, and that's werry bad, you know, arn't it? Now then, which way is it?”
”This way, Jeht of the ht, Mas' Don I say, I can walk”
”Does it hurt you very much?”
”Oh, yes; it hurts me horrid But I say, Mas' Don, there arn't many chaps in Bristol as could have failed down like that without breaking theirselves, is there?”
”I think it's wonderful, Jem”
”That's what I think, Mas' Don, and I'inning to go better every minute Tidy stiff; but, I say, Mas' Don, I don't believe I'lad, Jeo as if I would rather it had been h, Mas' Don? Well, that's kind of you, that it is I do like that Co Don't you be afraid I can walk as fast as you can Never fear! Think we shall be in time?”