Part 28 (1/2)
Connie's single bed was hastily brought downstairs, and Prudence deposited upon it. ”There's no use to put me up-stairs,” she a.s.sured them. ”I won't stay there. I want to be down here where I can boss the girls.”
The doctor came in, and bandaged the swollen purple ankle. Then they had dinner,--they tried to remember to call it luncheon, but never succeeded!
After that, the whole parsonage family grouped about the little single bed in the cheery sitting-room.
”Whose coat is this, Prudence?” asked Connie.
”And where in the world did you get these towels and silk s.h.i.+rts?” added Fairy.
Prudence blushed most exquisitely. ”They are Mr. Harmer's,” she said, and glanced nervously at her father.
”Whose?” chorused the family. And it was plain to be seen that Lark was ready to take mental notes with an eye to future stories.
”If you will sit down and keep still, I will tell you all about it. But you must not interrupt me. What time is it, Fairy?”
”Two o'clock.”
”Oh, two. Then I have plenty of time. Well, when I got to that little cross-cut through the hickory grove, about four miles out from town, I thought I would coast down the long hill. Do you remember that hill, father? There was no one in sight, and no animals, except one h.o.a.ry old mule, grazing at the bottom. It was irresistible, absolutely irresistible. So I coasted. But you know yourself, father, there is no trusting a mule. They are the most undependable animals.” Prudence looked thoughtfully down at the bed for a moment, and added slowly, ”Still, I have no hard feelings against the mule. In fact, I kind of like him.--Well, anyway, just as I got to the critical place in the hill, that mule skipped right out in front of me. It looked as though he did it on purpose. I did not have time to get out of his way, and it never occurred to him to get out of mine, and so I went Bang! right into him.
And it broke Mattie Moore's wheel, and upset me quite a little. But that mule never budged! Jerry--er Harmer,--Mr. Harmer, you know,--said he believed an earthquake could coast downhill on to that mule without seriously inconveniencing him. I was hurt a little, and couldn't get up.
And so he jumped over the fence,--No, Connie, not the mule, of course!
Mr. Harmer! He jumped over the fence, and put his coat on the ground, and made a pillow for me with the s.h.i.+rts and towels in his bag, and carried me over. Then he wanted to go for a wagon to bring me home, but I was too nervous and scared, so he stayed with me. Then Mr. Davis came along with his cart, and Jerry--er--Harmer, you know, helped put me in, and the cart was so small they both had to walk.”
”Where is he now?” ”Is he young?” ”Is he handsome?” ”Did he look rich?”
”Don't be silly, girls. He went to the hotel, I suppose. Anyhow, he left us as soon as we reached town. He said he was in a hurry, and had something to look after. His coat was underneath me in the wagon, and he wouldn't take it out for fear of hurting my ankle, so the poor soul is probably wandering around this town in his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves.”
Already, in the eyes of the girls, this Jerry--er--Harmer, had taken unto himself all the interest of the affair.
”He'll have to come for his coat,” said Lark. ”We're bound to see him.”
”Where does he live? What was he doing in the hickory grove?” inquired Mr. Starr with a strangely sinking heart, for her eyes were alight with new and wonderful radiance.
”He lives in Des Moines. He was just walking into town, and took a short cut through the grove.”
”Walking! From Des Moines?”
Prudence flushed uncomfortably. ”I didn't think of that,” she said.
”But I do not see why he should not walk if he likes. He's strong and athletic, and fond of exercise. I guess he's plenty able to walk if he wants to. I'm sure he's no tramp, father, if that is what you are thinking.”
”I am not thinking anything of the kind, Prudence,” he said with dignity.
”But I do think it rather strange that a young man should set out to walk from Des Moines to Mount Mark. And why should he be at it so early in the morning? Doesn't he require sleep, as the rest of us do?”
”How should I know? I guess if he likes to be but in the morning when it is fresh and sweet, it is all right. I like the morning myself. He had as much right out early as I had. His clothes were nice, and he is a Harvard graduate, and his shoes were dusty, but not soiled or worn.
Anyhow, he is coming at four o'clock. If you want to ask if he is a tramp, you can do it.” And Prudence burst into tears.
Dramatic silence in the cheerful sitting-room! Then Fairy began bustling about to bathe the face and throat of ”poor little Prudence,” and her father said sympathetically:
”You're all nervous and wrought up, with the pain and excitement, Prudence. I'm glad he is coming so we can thank him for his kindness.