Part 10 (2/2)

Oh, the comfort to Kitty of that firm, cool, strong hand of father's--oh, the support of looking into his face. A burden as of black night was lifted from her. She ran in eager accompaniment to his great strides. He was bending over Nora in a minute.

”Now, my poor little maid, what is this?” he asked, dropping on one knee and trying to put his hand under her head as he spoke.

Nora opened her pretty, dark eyes.

”Oh, father, is it you? I'm glad,” she said in a faint voice. ”I've been naughty, father; I--I'm sorry.”

”Well, you can't be more than sorry, can you, Nonie? Don't bother about anything now, but just tell me where you are hurt.”

”Oh, it's my back. Oh, don't touch me; it's dreadful!”

Squire Lorrimer's face looked very grave.

”Where did she fall from, Kitty?” he asked.

Kitty pointed to the gash made in the beech-tree by the broken bough.

”Over twenty feet,” murmured the Squire to himself. ”G.o.d help my poor little girl!”

”Look here, Kitty,” he said aloud, ”Nora is in a good deal of pain; but I hope we'll soon have her easier. We must try and get her home somehow, and it would be a good thing if your mother were here; you had better fetch her. Don't frighten her, Kit, for Nora may not be badly hurt after all; but bring her here as quickly as you can, and Guy, too, and Molly; they are both strong, and have their wits about them. We must contrive a litter of some sort. Now, be quick and find the folks.”

”Yes,” replied Kitty, who was almost happy again under the influence of her father's encouraging words.

She was soon out of sight, and in less than half an hour Mrs. Lorrimer, Jane Macalister, and every other member of the picnic party, were gathered round the prostrate figure of little Nora.

She was more conscious now, and looked eagerly for one face, the solace of all sick children.

”Let Mummie hold my hand,” she said.

Mrs. Lorrimer took it, bent down, and kissed her; Nora smiled as if a load had been lifted from her heart.

A rough litter was presently constructed, and with great difficulty the poor child was lifted into it. The pain of even this slight move, however, caused her to faint completely away.

It was at this juncture that Hester Thornton came forward with a suggestion.

”The Grange is nearly three miles nearer than the Towers,” she said; ”had not we better bring her there? And had not Guy better ride off at once to Nortonbury for the doctor?”

”That is a good idea,” said Mr. Lorrimer. ”Guy, mount on Black Bess's back and off with you. Bring Dr. Jervis back with you to the Grange if you can.”

The merry little picnic party looked dismal enough as they slowly, and almost in funereal fas.h.i.+on, left the scene of festivity. The strongest of the party had to take turns to carry poor Nora's litter, for she could not endure any less easy movement.

Nan came up to Hester and took her hand.

”I don't know what the meaning of all this is,” she said; ”but, somehow or other, I think Annie must be at the bottom of it.”

”Where is Annie?” queried Hester. ”How completely she seems to have lost herself. Oh, how miserable poor little Kitty looks. Come here, Kitty, dear, and tell me all about the accident.”

”I cannot,” said Kitty. ”Don't ask me; it's part of the secret.”

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