Part 12 (1/2)

”So you've had an accident, eh?” he said.

”Yes,” whispered Jeanie, pressing a little closer to Piers.

”What happened?”

”I think it was a rabbit-hole,” said Jeanie not very lucidly.

”Caught your foot and fell, I suppose?” said the doctor. ”Was that all?

Did you do any walking after it?”

”Oh no!” said Jeanie, with a shudder. ”Mr. Evesham carried me.”

”I see.” He was holding her wrist between his fingers. Very suddenly he looked at Piers again. ”I can't have you here,” he said.

”Can't you?” said Piers. He threw back his head with an aggressive movement, but said no more.

”Please let him stay!” said Jeanie beseechingly.

The doctor frowned.

In a low voice Avery intervened. ”I told him he might--for the child's sake.”

Dr. Tudor turned his hawk eyes upon her. ”Who are you, may I ask?”

Piers' free hand clenched, and a sudden hot flush rose to his forehead.

But Avery made answer before he could speak.

”I am the mother's help at the Vicarage. My name is Denys--Mrs. Denys.

And Jeanie is in my care. Now, will you look at the injury?”

She smiled a little as she said it, but the decision of her speech was past disputing. Dr. Tudor regarded her piercingly for a moment or two, then without a word turned aside.

The tension went out of Piers' att.i.tude; he held Jeanie comfortingly close.

At the end of a brief examination the doctor spoke. ”Yes. A simple fracture. I can soon put that to rights. You can help me, Mrs. Denys.”

He went to work at once, giving occasional curt directions to Avery, while Jeanie clung convulsively to Piers, her face buried in his coat, and fought for self-control.

It was a very plucky fight, for the ordeal was a severe one; and when it was over the poor child broke down completely in spite of all her efforts and wept upon Piers' shoulder. He soothed and consoled her with the utmost kindness. It had been something of an ordeal for him also, and with relief he turned his attention to comforting her.

She soon grew calmer and apologized humbly for her weakness. ”I don't think I could have borne it without you,” she told him, with tremulous sincerity. ”But I'm so dreadfully sorry to have given you all this trouble.”

”That's all right,” Piers a.s.sured her. ”I'm glad you found me of use.”

He dried her tears for the second time that afternoon, and then, with a somewhat obvious effort at civility, addressed the doctor.

”I suppose it will be all right to move her now? Can we take her home in the landaulette?”