AtthefurtherendoftheroomShock’seyesfelluponadoor，throughthecracksofwhichalightwasshining。
　　"Itispossible，"saidShock，"heisinthatroom，"pointingtothedoor。
　　"Hardly，mydearsir，hardly。"
　　Butevenashespokeavoice，loudandclear，rangout。"Now，mydearfellow，gotothedeuce。Thatcomestome。"
　　ThereplyShockcouldnotcatch。
　　"Ithink，"hesaid，turningtoSmiley，"weshallfindMr。Stantoninthere。"
　　Ashespokehewalkedtowardthedoor。ButSmileyslippedbeforehim。
　　"Pardonme，mydearsir，thatisaprivateroom——somefriendsofminewhowouldgreatlydislikebeingdisturbed。IamexceedinglysorryIcannotobligeyou。"
　　"ImustseeMr。Stanton"，saidShock，puttinghishanduponthedoorknob。
　　"Mydearsir，"saidSimmons，histhinlipsdrawnbackoverhisyellowteeth，"Iregrettosayitisimpossible。IfMr。Stantonisinthere——markme，IsayIFheisinthere，whichisextremelyunlikely——butifheisinthere，hewouldbeveryunwillingtobedisturbedatthishour。However，sinceyouaresoanxious，Ishalltakehimamessage。"
　　AsSmileysaidthishebowedwithanairofgraciouscondescension，asifheexpectedShocktobeprofoundlyimpressedwiththisconcessiontohispersistence。ButShockwasnotatallimpressed。
　　"Icannotwaitlonger，"hesaid。"Itisamatteroflifeanddeath。
　　Imustenterthatroom。"
　　"Mydearsir，"saidSimmons，rubbinghishands，hissmilebecomingmoreandmoreexpansive，"thisismyhouse，thatdoorismydoor。Ifyoubreakit，Ishouldbegrievedtohavetoexactthefullpenaltyofthelaw。"
　　Shockhesitated。Hehadneverwillinglybrokenalawinhislife。Itwouldbeamostunfortunatebeginningforhismissioninthistown，and，afterall，whatbusinesshadhetointerfere？Ifthisyoungfoolwasdeterminedtowastehismoney，lethimdoso。
　　ButhethoughtofIke，andtheentreatyinhisvoiceashewhisperedouthisbrokenwords，andhethoughtofthelookofreverenceandloveonthelad’sfacethatafternoonwhenhegavehistoast，"Mymother？Godblessher！"Shock’sfacesethard。
　　"Imustseehim，"hesaidsimply，butwithsuchanairofdeterminationthatSimmonsweakened。
　　"Well，ifyouwaitafewminutes，"repliedSmiley，"Iwillseeifhewillspeaktoyou。"
　　ShockwaitedtillSmileyopenedthedoor，whereupon，steppingquicklyforward，hesethisfootagainstthelowerpanelandpushedthedoorwideopen。
　　Inasmallroom，bareoffurnitureexceptfortablesandchairsandahanginglamp，satfourmen，ofwhomShockrecognisedtwo。TheKidwasone，andMacfarrentheother。Acrossthetablefromthesesattwomen，onebyhisuniformtheInspectoroftheMountedPolice。ThefaceoftheotherhadtoShockafamiliarlook，butwherehehadseenhimhecouldnotremember。
　　AsShockopenedthedoorthemaninuniformstartedupwithanoath，andMacfarrenblewoutthelight。
　　"What’sthatfor，Macfarren？"saidTheKid。
　　"Shutup，youfool，"growledMacfarren。
　　"Whatdidyousay，sir？"enquiredTheKid，inavoicesomewhatthickandunsteady。
　　"Gethimoutofhere，"saidMacfarren，inalowtone。
　　"IwanttohaveafewwordswithMr。Stanton，"saidShock，standinginthedoorway。
　　"Hereyouare。Fireaway，"repliedtheboy。"Thelightisnotgood，butIcanhearinthedark。"
　　"Youarewanted，Mr。Stanton，veryearnestlybyafriendofyours。"
　　"Lethimwalkrightinifhewantsme，"repliedTheKid。
　　"Thathecannotdo。Heisveryill。"
　　"Ah！whoishe，mayIask？"enquiredStanton，strikingamatch。
　　Itwaspromptlyblownout。
　　"Iwouldn’tdothatagain，"hesaidgently。"Whoisit？"herepeated，striking。anothermatchandlightingthelamp。
　　"ItisIke，"saidShock。"Heisveryill——dying，forallIknow，andhewantsyou。"
　　ForanswertherewasacontemptuouslaughfromtheMountedPoliceman，inwhichMacfarrenjoined。
　　"Rathergoodthat，"saidMacfarren。
　　"Excuseme，gentlemen，"saidtheboy，makingastrenuousefforttopullhimselftogether。"Ihatetoleavethisgoodcompany，butI
　　mustgo。IhappentopayIkewages，butheismyfriend。Hehasaskedforme，andIamgoingtohim。"
　　"Oh，blankitall！Don’tbeafool，"saidthepoliceman。"Ike’sallright。Hehasbeentakinganextradrink，butyoucan’tkillIke。
　　Waitforhalfanhour，andwe’llgodownandseehowheis。"
　　Theyoungladhesitated。ThestrangermadeasignaltoSmiley，andsuddenlyShockfoundhimself;pushedbackwardfromtheentrance，andthedoorslammedinhisface。
　　"Openthatdoor！"heheardTheKidcry。
　　Therewasamurmurinresponse。
　　"Openit，Isay，Simmons。"
　　Againamurmur。
　　"No，Iamgoing。Iwillgomyself。Ikewantsme。"Theboy’svoicewasloudandhard。
　　"That’smine，"thevoicecriedagain。"Letthatgoatonce！"
　　Therewasasoundofscufflingandoffallingchairs。WithakickShocksentthedoorflyingopen，andsawthreemenstrugglingwithStanton。Smileyhadwoundhislongarms，abouthimfrombehind，theInspectorheldhisarminafirmgripwithonehandandwiththeotherhadholdofthestranger，whohadTheKidbythethroat。
　　Macfarrenwasstillatthetable，evidentlygatheringupwhatlayuponit。
　　InaninstantShocksprangintothefray。WithasinglejerkhetoreSmileyfromhisvictimandflunghimonthefloor。Reachingforthestranger，whowaschokingTheKid，hecaughthiswristandgaveitaslightturn。WithayellofpainthestrangerturneduponhimandaimedablowatShock’sface。Catchingtheblowonhisarm，Shockseizedhisassailantbytheshoulder，jerkedhimclearofhisfeet，andflunghimfarintothecorneroftheroom。Atthisthepolicemanimmediatelygaveback。
　　ForafewsecondsTheKidstoodswayingunsteadily。Then，afterherecoveredhisbreathheturnedtoShockandsaid，"Ihardlyexpectedtoeverfeelgratefultoyou，butIassureyouIappreciateyourtimelyhelp。"
　　Thenturningtotheothers，andregaininghiswontedsmileandeasymanner，hecontinued，"Gentlemen，youaresomewhatinsistentinyourhospitality。Itisalwaysinstructive，andsometimespleasant，toextendourknowledgeofourfriends，andnowletmesaythatamoreblackguardlylotofthievesIhavenevermet，andifthisgentlemanwhohasdroppedinsoopportunelywillkindlystandatmybackforafewminutes，I
　　shallbedelightedtomakegoodmywordsbyslappingyourfaces"TheKid’stonewaslowandgentle，evensweet。
　　"Mr。Macfarren，yourvenerablebeardpreventsme。Simmons，yourgeneralsliminessprotectsyou，butasforyou，InspectorHaynes，itgivesmegreatpleasuretoexpressmyopinionofyou——thus！"
　　HisopenhandflashedoutashespokeandcaughtHaynesonthecheekastingingblow。
　　WithanoaththeInspectorjerkedouthispistolandsprangathim。
　　"Iarrestyou，sir，inthenameoftheQueen。Moveyourhandandyouareadeadman。"
　　"Sobeyou，Mr。Inspector，"drawledaquietvoiceinthedoor。
　　Shockturned，andtohisunspeakableamazementsawhissickfriendstandingwithhisguncoveringtheInspector。
　　"Onestepback，please，Mr。Inspector。Quick！Thistriggergoesmightyeasy。Now，rightwheel！"
　　TheInspectorhesitatedasecond。"Quick！"criedIkesharply。"Don’tyoufooltoolongobeyin’orders。Iaintusedtoit。I’mhereexercisin’apublicfunction，preventin’murder，inshort，andI’lldropyouinyourtracksifyoudon’tmoveatthenextword。Youhereme？Andifyoudon’tintendtomoveatthenextword，sayyourprayersinthisinterval。Nowthen，backuptothattableandputdownthatgun。Correct。Verynice，indeed。"
　　Ike’svoicetookonmoreandmoreofitscustomarydrawl。
　　"Now，twostepsforward。Right。Now，youcan——go——to——the——devil！"
　　Ikesteppedtothetable，tookupthepistol，andreturnedtohisplaceatthedoor，saying:
　　"Say，boss，thisprayermeetin’sover。Let’sgohome。"
　　"NotuntiltheInspectorsaysso，"saidTheKid，whohadrecoveredhimself，andwhowasnowquitesober。"Hehasthewordnow，Ikey，sodon’tinterfere。"
　　"Allright，Kiddie，playyourgame。You’reequivalenttoit，I
　　surmise。"
　　"Ithinkso，"saidtheKidsweetly。Then，turningtotheInspector，hecontinuedinavoiceofgentleconsideration，"Thereissomethingonyourcheek，InspectorHaynes。Youhavenotobservedit。Allowmetopointitouttoyou。"
　　Hemovedforwardashespoke，butShockinterposed。
　　"Ithinkthatisenough，Mr。Stanton，"hesaid。
　　"Letthematterdropnow。"
　　Theboyturnedquickly，andlookingsteadilyintoShock’sface，beganinaquiet，evenvoice，"Mr。——ah"
　　"Macgregor，"suppliedShock。
　　"Mr。Macgregor，youareastranger。Inthiscountryinamatterofthiskindweneverallowinterference。"
　　"Andyet，"saidShockinavoiceequallyquiet，"interferenceisnotunwelcomeattimes。"
　　"Whatyousayisquitetrue，"repliedtheboy，"and，asIhavesaid，Iamnotungratefulforyourtimelyassistance。"
　　"Oh，IwasthinkingofIke，"saidShockhurriedly。
　　"Butsurelyyouwillletthismatterdropnow。"
　　"Drop！"roaredtheInspector。"Blankyourimpudence！Hehascalledmeathief，andhehasslappedmyfacewhiledoingmyduty。Iwillhavethelotofyouarrestedforinterferencewithjustice。Andasforyou，Stanton，weshallsettlethisagain。"
　　Sosaying，theInspectormadeforthedoor。AtthedoorIkestillstoodonguard。
　　"Whenyouwantme，Mr。Inspector，"hesaid，"don’thaveanydelinquencyinsendin’forme。IsurmiseIcancontributesomevaluableevidenceonthepointofguns，games，andsuch。"
　　TheInspectorglaredathim。
　　"I’lltakemygun，"hesaid。
　　"Yourgun？Why，cert！Didyoudropitsomewheres？Perhapsifyoulookroundwhenthelight’sgoodyou’llfindit。Slimey，here，willhelpyou。I’mprettynighcertainyou’llextraditethatweaponinthemorning。Good—night。"
　　WithacursetheInspectorpassedout。
　　"Now，Ikey，"saidTheKidcoolly，"standaside，forthereisacurherethathadtheaudacitytothrottleme。"
　　WiththesewordshesprangpastShock，seizedthestrangerbythethroat，cuffedhimwithhisopenhand，anddragginghimtothedoorsenthimforthwithapartingkickandauimprecation。
　　"Now，Macfarren，"hesaid，turningtothatgentleman，whostillsatbythetable，"youhavesomemoneynotbelongingtoyou。Putitonthetable。"
　　Withoutamoment’shesitationMacfarrenhastilypouredforthfromhispocketpoker—chips，goldpieces，andbills。
　　"Iassureyou，Mr。Stanton，"hehurriedtosay，"Iwassimplyholdingthemtillthe——ahtroubleshouldbeover。"
　　"Thatwasmostkind，"repliedStanton。"Ihavenoveryclearremembrance，butIwasundertheimpressionthatitwasyoursuggestiontolockthedoor。"
　　Ashespokehesweptthemoneyintohispocket。
　　"Certainly，butmyonlyintentionwastokeepbutah——strangersand—
　　—intruders。Youknow，Mr。Stanton，Iwouldbenopartytorobbery，and，indeed，Idonotbelieve’foramomentthatanyrobberywasintended。ItwasanunfortunateeagernessonthepartofCrawleytosecurehiswinningsthatprecipitatedthetrouble。Ireallyhopeyoudonotthinkmecapableofanythingofthesort。"
　　Macfarren’smannerwasabject，buthistonewasevidentlysincere。
　　"Youwereunfortunateinyourcompany，then，Mr。Macfarren。Comeon，Ike。Wearedonewiththisgang。LuckyIwasnotquiteslewed，ormy，creditorswouldhavebeeninmourningto—morrow。Mr。Macgregor，wheredoyouputup？"
　　"He’swithmeto—night，"saidIke，"andamightyfortunatecircumstanceitwasforusall。Thisherebusinesshadgotbeyondmycapabilities……Someofusneedakeeper。"
　　"That’sme，Ikey。Yes，Iknow。Rubitin。It’sakeeperIneed。
　　Well，IgiveyoumywordIamdonewiththisgang。Fool！Fool！"hecontinuedbitterly，"acursedfool，Ikey。Threeyearsofitnow。"
　　"That’swhat，"saidIkey，leadingthewaydownthestreet。"Forthepasttwoyears，boss，youknowyou’vebeatme。ThoughIdon’tholdmyselfoutasnosortofparadox——"
　　"Paragon，Ikey，"saidTheKid，withagentlelaugh。Healwaysfoundhiscowboy’sEnglishamusing。
　　"Paragon，eh？Well，allthesame，Iaintnosortofparagon，butI
　　knowwheretostop，"
　　"Wherearewenow，Ike？Attheendoftherope，eh？"
　　"No，bythelivin’Gimmini！butgettin’thereonthejump，"saidIke，withgraveemphasis。
　　WithoutfurtherconversationtheymadetheirwaythroughthedarkstreetstilltheyreachedIke’sshack。
　　Thedoctorlaystillasleepinthecorner。
　　"Hekidnappedhim，"wasIke’sexplanationtoTheKid，noddinghisheadtowardShock。"SoI’dadvisethatyouhitchontothepreacherhereforaperiod。Givehimthejobofwindin’youup。"
　　"Couldyouundertakethat，doyouthink？"Therewasacurioussmileontheboy’sface，butanundertoneofseriousnessinhisvoice。
　　"No，"saidShockgravely，"Icouldnotundertakethat。"
　　"Yousee，Ike，Iamtoouncertain。Toofargone，Iguess。"
　　Ikewastoopuzzledtoreply。HehadakindofdimideathatinShocktherewassomehelpforhisboss，andhewasdisappointedatShock’sanswer。
　　ForsometimeShocksatinsilence，lookingatthefire。Hisheartwassore。Hefelthishelplessness。Thisclever，gay—heartedyoungfellow，withallhisgentlenessofmanner，wasunapproachable。Hebelongedtoanotherworld，andyetShockyearnedoverhimwithatendernessinexplicabletohimself。TheKidgavehimnoopening。
　　Therewasakindofgaydefianceinhisbearing，asifhehadreadShock’sheartandweredeterminedtokeephimatarm’slength。
　　InstinctivelyShockknewthathemustwaithisopportunity。
　　"Well，guesswe’dbetterturnin，"suggestedIke。"Canyoutwobunktogether？Thatbed’llholdyouboth，Iguess。"
　　"No，thanks，"saidShockdecidedly。"Thatisyourbed。I’llspreadmyblanketsonthefloor。"
　　"Inthiscountry，"saidStanton，"wegivethestrangerthebed，soyouneednotscrupletoturnIkeoutofhis。IkeandIwilltakethefloor。"
　　"Notthistime，"saidShockfirmly。"Iamthankfulenoughforshelter，withouttakingaman’sbed。Besides，"headded，suddenlyremembering，"Ikeneedshisbedto—night，afterhissickturn。"
　　"Yes，byJove！Bytheway，"exclaimedStanton，"whathappened，Ike？"
　　"Asuddenandunexpectedpredispositionwhichtakesmenowandthen，"turninghisbackuponShockandsolemnlywinkingatTheKid;
　　"butIrecoverjustasquickly，andwhenIdoI’masslickasever，andslicker。Thesehereturnsworkoffalotofbadblood，Iguess。"
　　DuringhisspeechhecontinuedwinkingatTheKid。Thatyounggentlemangazedathiminamazedsilence。Gradually，alightbrokeinuponhim。
　　"Lookhere，Ike，whatinthunderdoyoumean？"
　　"Isay，boss，"saidIkepersuasively，"justgoeasy。Yououghn’ttoexciteyourself。’Taintgoodforyou，and’taintgoodforme，either。Mydoctorsaysso。Iwouldn’tpersecuteyourenquiriesatthislatehourofthenight。"
　　Ike’sgravitywasimperturbable。
　　"Well，Ibeblanked！Ibegyourpardon，Mr。Macgregor。Ike，you’reacoolone。You’vegotthenerveof"HereTheKidbegantolaugh，andShock，allunsuspectingofIke’sschemeforgettinghisbossoutoftheclutchesofhisspoilers，gazedfromtheonetotheotherwithanairofsuchabsoluteperplexitythatTheKidwentoffintoimmoderatefitsoflaughter。Ike’sgravityremainedunbroken。
　　"Allthesame，boss，"hesaid，"youwanttokeepaneyeonthatoutfit。They’llgeteven。ThatmanCrawleyandtheInspectoraintgoin’toresteasy。wheretheyare。Markslikewhatyouputon’emburntothebone。"
　　"Theycannothurtme，Ike，"saidtheKidlightly，"andIthinktheywillbeafraidtotry。ButMr。Macgregorherehasgotintotrouble。
　　IsnotMacfarrenachurchwarden，orsomething，inyourChurch？"
　　"Heisamanager，Ithink，"saidShock。"Prettymuchthesamething。"
　　"Well，heisamantolookoutfor。Icangetalongwithouthim，butyoucannot，canyou？Imean，hecanhurtyou。"
　　"No，"saidShockquietly，"hecannothurtme。Theonlymanthatcanhurtmeismyself。Noothermancan。Andbesides，"headded，pullingalittleBibleoutofhispocket，"IhaveaKeeper，asIkesaid。"
　　AsShockopenedthelittleBiblehebecameconsciousofasenseofmastery。Hisopportunityhadcome。
　　"Listentothis，"hesaid，andhereadinavoiceofassuredconviction:"TheLordisthykeeper。
　　TheLordshallkeeptheefromallevil。
　　Heshallkeepthysoul。
　　TheLordshallkeepthygoingoutandthycomingin。
　　Fromthistimeforthandforevermore。"
　　Heclosedthebookandputitinhispocket。
　　"No，"hesaid，"nomancanhurtme。"ThenturningtoIkehesaidquietly，"Ialwayssaymyprayers。Mymotherstartedmetwenty—fiveyearsago，andIhaveneverseenanyreasontoquit。"
　　Whilehistonewasgentleandhismannersimple，therewasalmostachallengeinhiseyes。ThefairfaceofyoungStantonflushedthroughthetan。
　　"Youdoyourmotherhonour，"hesaid，withquietdignity。
　　"Isay，"saidIkeslowly，"ifyoukindoitjustasconvenient，perhapsyou’dsay’emout。Wouldn’tdousnoharm，eh，Kiddie？"
　　"No，Ishouldbepleased。"
　　"Thankyou，"saidShock。ThenforamomenthestoodlookingfirstatIke’sgraveface，andthenatTheKid，outofwhoseblueeyesallthegay，recklessdefiancehadvanished。
　　"Don’timagineIthinkmyselfabitbetterthanyou，"saidShockhastily，voiceandlipquivering。
　　"Oh，gitout！"ejaculatedIkequickly。"Thataintsense。"
　　"But，"continuedShock，"perhapsIhavehadalittlebetterchance。
　　CertainlyIhavehadagoodmother。"
　　"AndI，too，"saidtheboy，inahuskyvoice。
　　SothethreekneeledtogetherinIke’sshack，eachwonderinghowithadcomeaboutthatitshouldseemsonaturalandeasyforhimtobeinthatattitude。
　　InavoicesteadyandcontrolledShockmadehisprayer。Humilityandgratitudeforallthathadbeendoneforhiminhislife，anoverwhelmingsenseofneedforthelifedemandedinthisGod—
　　forgettingcountry，andagreatloveandcompassionforthetwomenwithwhomhehadsostrangelybeenbroughtintosuchcloserelationswelledinhisheartandvibratedthroughhisprayer。
　　Ike’sfaceneverlostitsimpassivegravity。Whatevermayhavebeenhisfeelings，hegavenosignofemotion。ButtheladthatkneeledontheothersideofShockpressedhisfacedownhardintohishands，whilehisframeshookwithchoking，silentsobs。Allthatwasholiestandtenderestinhispastcamecrowdinginuponhim，insadandterriblecontrasttohispresent。
　　ImmediatelyaftertheprayerShockslippedoutoftheshack。
　　"Isay，boss，"saidIke，ashepokedthefire，"he’sawinner，ainthe？Guesshehitstheskyallright，whenhegetsontohisknees。Bythelivin’Gimmini！whenthatfellergitsa—goin’heraisesconsiderableofapromotion。"
　　"Commotion，Ikey，"saidTheKidgently。"Yes，Ibelievehehitsthesky——andhesaysheneedsaKeeper。"
　　"Well，"saidIkesolemnly，"Ihavealingerin’suspicionthatyou’recorrect，butifheneedsaKeeper，whataboutus？"
　　XIII
　　THEPRESIDENTOFGUY’S，LONDON
　　Dr。BurtonwasneverquiteclearastohowhehadfoundhimselfintheearlymorningontheLoonLaketrail，withamanwhomhehadneverseenbefore，norhow，afterhehaddiscoveredhimselfinthatposition，hehadbeenpersuadedtocontinuehisjourney，muchlesstotakeupwithsuchenthusiasmthetreatmentofthecasestowhichhehadbeensummonedbythatsamestranger。Indeed，hedidnotcometoaclearconsciousnessofhissayingsanddoingsuntilhefoundhimselfseatedatamostcomfortablebreakfastinthehouseoftheOldProspector，withthissamestrangegentlemansittingoppositehim。Eventhen，beforereachingasolutionoftheproblemastohowhehadarrivedatthatparticularplaceandinthatparticularcompany，tohisamazementhefoundhimselfinterestedinthediscussionofthecasesonhand。
　　WiththeOldProspectorhehadlittledifficulty。Inflammatoryrheumatism，withacomplicationofpneumonia;initselfnotnecessarilyfatal，orevendangerous，butwithamanoftheOldProspector’sageandhabitsoflifethiscomplicationmightanymomentbecomeserious。Heleftsomemedicine，orderednourishingfood，perfectrestandquiet，andwasabouttodepart。
　　"HowsoonshallIbeup，doctor？"enquiredtheOldProspector。
　　"Iwouldn’tworry。"
　　"Aweek？"
　　"Aweek！Ifyouareonyourlegsinamonthyoumaybethankful。"
　　"Doctor，"saidtheOldProspectorinatoneofquietresolution，"itisvitallyimportantthat。Ishouldbeonmyjourneysoonerthanamonth。Mybusinessadmitsofnodelay。"
　　"Well，"saidthedoctorinhiscourteous，gentletone，"ifyoumoveyouwilllikelydie。"
　　"IshallcertainlydieifIdonot。"
　　ForoncetheOldProspectorbrokethroughhiswontedphilosophiccalm。Hisvoicetrembled，andhiseyesglitteredinhisexcitement。
　　"Well，well，"saidthedoctorsoothingly，notingthesesymptoms，"waitaweekorso。Followthedirectionscarefully，andweshallsee。"
　　"Ishallwaitaweek，doctor，butnolonger。IntendaysIshallbeonthetrail。"
　　"Well，well，"repeatedthedoctor，lookingkeenlyintotheoldman’sface，"wewon’tworryaboutitforaweek。"
　　"No;foraweekIamcontent。"
　　LeavingtheOldProspector’sshackShockconductedthedoctortothelittleroomatthebackoftheStoppingPlacewherelittlePatsylay。Atthedoortheyweremetbythemother，vociferouswithlamentations，prayers，blessings，andentreaties。Withintheroom，seatedbesidethebed，wasCarroll，gloomyandtaciturn。
　　Thedoctordrewbacktheblindandletinthemorninglight。ItshowedpoorlittlePatsy，paleandwasted，hisangelicfacesurroundedwithagoldenaureoleofyellowcurlsthatfloatedacrossthewhitepillow。Thedoctorwasstartledandmoved。
　　"Whatisthis？"hecried。"Whatisthematter？"
　　"Justanaccident，doctor，"saidMrs。Carrollvolubly。"Itwasablowhegot。"
　　"Istruckhimwidachair，"saidCarrollbitterly。
　　"Whisht，now，darlin’。You’renottobeblamin’yourselfatall，atall。Sure，youdidn’tmanetodoit。Andwhat’sabitofdiscoosionbetweenmen？ThelittlePatsy，thebravelittleheartthatheis，runintohelphisdad，sohedid！"AndMrs。Carrollcontinuedwithadescriptionwhichbecamemoreandmoreincoherentandmoreandmorebrokenwithsobsandtears。
　　"It’sawonderhedidn’tkillhim，"saidthedoctor。