"Arrah，yemaysayit。Buttheydobetellin’methathisriverencetherebeyant，hestoodinundertheblow。Godblesshissowl！It’sahairoheis——ahairo！"
　　SherantowardShockasiftoembracehim，butShock，whohadcometoknowherways，avoidedher，dodgingbehindthedoctor。
　　"Notatall，"hesaid。"Anymanwouldhavedonethesame。"
　　"Now，Godpardonyourriverenceforthelieye’vetold。"
　　"ButhowdidYOUgetintotherow？"askedthedoctor，turningtoShock。
　　"Andyemayask，"interruptedMrs。Carroll。"It’sallavthatsquirmin’littlewormofaFrenchman。Maythedivilflyawaywidhim！I’mnotsayin’butCarrollthereisquickwithhistongue，andbetimeswithhishands，too——thehighspiritthathehas！butsure，it’satinderhearthecarriesinsideavhimifthey’dlavehimbe。"
　　Meantimethedoctorhadbeenproceedingwithhisexamination。
　　"Hehaslainaweeklikethis，eh？"
　　"Yes，aweek，withneveramovetillhim，andniveralookoutavhislovelyeyes。"
　　"Buthetakeshisnourishment，doeshe？"
　　"Yes，onceinawhileacupofmilkwithaweedrapavwhiskyintillit，doctor。"
　　Thedoctornodded。
　　"Won’thurthim。Nottoomuch，mind。Ateaspoonfulinalargecup。"
　　Thedoctorstoodforsomemomentsafterhehadfinishedhisexamination，lookingdownuponthelittlewhiteface，sowasted，sobeautiful。Thenheshookhasheadsorrowfully。
　　"Ah，doctor，darlin’！"burstoutMrs。Carroll。"Don’tsaythewurrd！
　　Don’tsaythewurrd！"
　　AtthisCarrollliftedhisheadandenquiredbriefly，"Willhegetbetter，doctor？"
　　"Hehasachance。Hehasaslightchance。"
　　AndwithalookatShockhelefttheroom。AfterspeakingafewwordsofcomfortandhopetothemotherShockfollowedthedoctorfromthehouse。
　　"Itisacasefortrephining，Ifear，"saidthedoctor。"Aclearcase。Itistheonlychancehehas，anditoughttobedoneatonce。"
　　"Youmeanto—day？"askedShock。
　　"Yes，to—day。But——"Thedoctorhesitated。"Iamnotready。"
　　"Icouldgetyourinstrumentsandanythingelseyoumightorder，"
　　saidShockeagerly。
　　"No，itisnotthat，"saidthedoctor。"Thetruthis，Ihavenotthenerve。Niceconfessiontomake，isn’tit？Lookatthathand。"
　　Heheldouthishandashespoke，andShocksawthatnotonlythehand，butthewholearm，indeedthewholegauntframeofthedoctor，wasallinatremble。Shock’sexperienceinthecitywardsmadehimrealisesomethingoftheshameandhumiliationofthemomenttothedoctor。Hehastenedtoturnhisattentioninahappierdirection。
　　"Youhaveperformedthisoperationbefore？"
　　"Yes，frequentlyintheoldcountry，onceortwicehere。Ihaveseensomepractice，sir，"saidthedoctor，straighteninghimselfup。"Butthereitis，"holdingoutagainhisshakinghand。
　　"Well，"saidShock，"wemustwaittill——tilleverythingisready。"
　　"Yes，"saidthedoctor。"NotbeforethreedayswouldIdaretotouchaknife。Inthreedays，sir，Ishallreturn，bringingalltheappliancesnecessary，andintheintervalthetimewillnotbeentirelylost。Weshalltakeeverymeanstotonetheboyup。Bytheway，Isupposethereissomeoneinthevillagewithsufficientnervetorenderassistance？"
　　"Idonotknow。ThereisonlyonemaninthiscountrywhomIcanthinkofasbeingreliableforanaffairofthiskind。Doyouhappentoknowofthecowboy，Ike？"
　　"Theveryman，"saidthedoctor。"HelivesontheStantonranchbetweenthisandthefort。Wecanseehimonourway。"
　　BeforethedoctorleftforhomehehadcalledtopreparetheCarrollsfortheoperation。AtfirstTimwouldnothearofit。Hefiercelydeclaredthathewouldkillanymanthatdaredputaknifeonhislad。Hiswifewasequallydeterminedthattheoperationshouldnottakeplace。
　　"Verywell，"saidthedoctor，"thenyourboywilldie，and，Carroll，Ishallhaveyouarrestedformanslaughterforthwith。"
　　ThisaspectofthecasemadelittleimpressionuponCarroll。
　　"Iftheladdies，"hesaidhoarsely，"divilacarewhathappenstome。"
　　ButMrs。Carrollbecameanxiouslydesirous。thattheoperationshouldbeperformed。
　　"AndsurethegoodGodwouldn’tbeaftertakin’himfromus，fordidn’thisriverencethereputupaprayerthatwouldmelttheheartoftheangels，andIdidpromiseGodmeselfaralefast，withniveraneggnorabitofafishtomyteeth，ifheshouldlavehimwidus。AndCarroll，darlin’，ye’llnotbeafterbreakin’ye’rewife’sheart，normakin’herawidow？Justyecomeon，doctor，andniverawordhe’llsaytillye。"
　　Andsoitcame，inthreedaysthatthedoctorreturned，clean，steady，andfitforhiswork，withIke，Shock，andTheKidonhandashisassistants。
　　"IaskedthedoctorifImightcomealong，"saidthelatter，explaininghispresence，"andthoughhedidnotencourageme，hereI
　　am。"
　　"Wewillmakehimnurseoroutsideguard，"saidShock。"Wewillgivehimfullchargeofthefamily。"
　　"Yes，"repliedthedoctor，inhisgentle，professionalvoice，"thefamily。Letthemberemovedtosomedistance。Thehousemustbekeptentirelyquiet，entirelyquiet。Aninterruptionmightbeserious。
　　Mr。andMrs。Carrollandthechildrenhadbetterbetakenawaytosomeremotedistance，sothatwemayhaveinthehouseperfectpeace——perfectpeace。"
　　ButinCarrolltheymetanunexpecteddifficulty。
　　"NotafutofmewillIlave，"heannounced，andfromthispositionwasimmovable。
　　"Letussaynomoreatpresent，"saidthedoctorquietlytohisassistants。"Therearevariousmethodsofremovinganobstruction。I
　　havefoundvariousmethods。"
　　AndsoTheKid，withMrs。Carroll，Tim，Nora，Eileen，Jimmie，andlittleMichael，setofforJumpingRockatthelake。Aftertheprocessionhadformed，however，anotherdifficultyarose。Michaelrefusedpointblanktogo，andonbeingurgedthrewhimselfdownuponthegroundandkickedandyelledvociferously。
　　"Indade，there’snouseoftryin’tomakehimdowhathedon’twant，"saidhismother，withaconvictionbornoflongexperienceofMichael’stempersandways。
　　Theprocessionhalted，TheKidlookinghelplessandfoolish。Invainheofferedhiswatch，hispistolwiththechargedrawn。Allhispossessionsavailednotatall。
　　Inhisdesperationhewasonthepointofproceedingtoextrememeasureswhenavoice，singularlysweetandmusical，soundedbehindhim。
　　"PerhapsIcanhelp，"itsaid。
　　TheKidswunground，hatinhand。ItwasMarion，theOldProspector’sdaughter。
　　"Ishallbeprofoundlythankful。Andforthatmatterdoubtlesshewill，too，forIhadcometotheconclusionthatthesituationdemandedachangeoftactics。"
　　ThegirlsatdownbesideMichael，andliftinghimtoherkneebegantobeguilehimfromhispresentmiserywithpromisesofsongs，andsnatchesoftales，whosepowersofenchantmenthadevidentlybeenprovedinsimilarcircumstances，tillfinallyhisinterestwasdiverted，hiscuriosityexcited，andatlengthMichaelwaspersuadedtojointhecompanywithsmilingexpectationofgoodthingstocome。
　　"Iwishyouwouldconfidetomethesecretofyourpower，Miss——"
　　saidTheKid，withamostcourteousbow。
　　"IamMarionMowbray，"shesaidsimply。
　　"MissMowbray，"continuedTheKid，"Iknowyourfatherverywell，and"——lookingintothegirl’seyes，soverypiercingandsoveryblack——"Ishouldliketoknowhisdaughter，too。"
　　ButMariondevotedherselfchieflytoMichael，givingsuchattentionasshecouldtotheolderandmoreactiveandmoreventurousEileenandJimmie，andTheKidfoundhisdutiestoMrs。Carroll，Tim，andNorasoengrossingthathehadlittletimetobestowanyfurtherattentionuponthegirl。
　　WhileMarionwithtalesandsongsheldtheyoungerportioninanenthralledcircleaboutherupontheJumpingRock，TheKiduponthelakeshorebelowwasusinghismoststrenuousendeavourstomakethehourpasshappilyforMrs。Carroll，Tim，andNora。
　　Meantime，inthebackroomoftheStopping—PlaceDr。Burtonwasmakinghispreparationsforaverycriticaloperation。AllhismovementsweremarkedbyaswiftdexterityandanattentiontodetailthatgaveShocktheimpressionthatherewasamannotonlyamasterofhisart，but，forthetimebeingatleast，masterofhimself。Helaidoutandthoroughlydisinfectedhisinstruments，preparedhislint，bandages，sponges，andexplainedclearlytoeachofhistwoassistantstheparthewastotake。Shock，whohadhadsomeslightexperienceinthesurgicaloperationsattendantuponanactivefootballcareer，wastobetheassistantinchief，beingexpectedtotakechargeoftheinstruments，andtotakepart，ifnecessary，intheactualoperation。Ikewasinstructedtobeinreadinesswithabasin，sponge，andanythingelsethatmightbedemanded。
　　"Weshallnotgiveyoumuchtodo，"saidthedoctor，"butwhatyouhavetodomustbedonepromptlyandwell。Now，then，"hecontinued，liftinghisscissorswithaflourishwhichdidnotfailtoimpressCarroll，whowasseatednearby，"weshallproceed。"
　　"Willithurt，doctor？"groanedCarroll，gazingupontherowofinstrumentswithfascinatedeyes。
　　"Beforewearefinisheditisquitepossiblethepatientmaybeconsciousofnervousdisturbance，accompaniedbysensationsmoreorlesspainful。"
　　"Willithurt，blankyou！"repliedCarroll，whosehoarsevoiceshowedtheintensityofhisrepressedemotion。
　　"AsIwassaying，"saidthedoctorinhiscalm，eventone，andexamininghisinstrumentsonebyonewithaffectionatecare，"thereiseverypossibilitythatthenervecentresmaybe——"
　　"Oh，"groanedCarroll，stillfascinatedbytheinstrumentsthatthedoctorwashandlingwithsuchlovingtouches，"willsomeoneshutupthisblank，blatherin’fool？He’ddriveamancrazy，sohewud！"
　　"Mr。Carroll，wemustbecalm。Wemustbeentirelycalm，"observedthedoctor。"Now，"continuinghismonologue，"weshallremovethehairfromthefieldofoperation。Cleanlinessinanoperationofthiskindisofprimeimportance。Recentscientificinvestigationsshowthatthechiefdangerinoperationsisfromsepticpoisoning。
　　Yes，everyprecautionmustbetaken。Thenweshallbathewiththisweaksolutionofcarbolic——threepercentwillbequitesufficient，quitesufficient——theinjuredpartsandthesurroundingarea，andthenweshallexaminetheextentofthewound。Iftheduramaterbepenetrated，andthearachnoidcavitybeopened，thentherewillbeinallprobabilityaveryconsiderableextravasationofblood，andbythistime，doubtless，seriousinflammationofallthesurroundingtissues。Theaperturebeingverysmallandthedepressionsomewhatextensive，itwillbenecessarytoremove——tosawout，inshort——aportionoftheskull，"liftingupafierce—lookinginstrument。
　　Carrollgroaned。
　　"Letmeout！"hewhisperedhoarsely，risingandfeelinghiswaywithoutstretchedhandtothedoor。"Ican’tstandthisbloodydivil！"
　　Ikeopenedthedoor，whileShocksprangtosupportthegropingman。
　　"Lavemebe！"hesaidfiercely，withacurse，andpushingShockbackhestumbledout。
　　"Ah，"saidthedoctor，withevidentsatisfaction，"therearevariousmethodsofremovingobstructions，asIhavesaid。Weshallnownolongerdelay。"Andheproceededtoclipawaythegoldencurlsfromaboutthewound。"These，"hesaid，holdingthemupinhisfingersandlookingatthemadmiringly，"wehadbetterpreserve。Thesebeautifullocksmaybepricelesstothemother，pricelessindeed。
　　Poor，bonnieladdie！Nowweshallprepare，weshallasepticallyprepare，thewholefieldofoperation。Aspongethat’sit。Thatwilldo。Now，letusexaminetheextentoftheinjury，"feelingwithdextrousfingersabouttheedgeoftheslightwound，andoverallthedepressedsurface。
　　"Ah！asIfeared。Theinternaltableiswidelycomminuted，andthereispossiblyinjurytotheduramater。Wemustexciseasmallportionofthebone。Thescalpel，please。"Then，afterlayingbackwithafewswift，dexterousmovementsthescalpfromaboutthewoundedparts:"Thesaw。Yes，thesaw。Theremovalofasection，"hecontinued，inhisgentlemonotone，beginningtosaw，"willallowexaminationoftheinternaltable。Asponge，please。Thankyou。Andiftheduramater——"HerethestillnessoftheroomwasbrokenbyasoundfromIke。Thedoctorglancedathim。
　　"Thisisaverysimplepartoftheoperation，"heexplained，"averysimplepart，indeed，andattendedwithabsolutelynopain。Asponge，please。Thankyou。Nowtheforceps。Yes。"
　　Hesnippedoffasectionofthebone。Ikewinced"Ah，asIfeared。
　　Thereisconsiderablecomminutionandextravasation。Yes，andowingtothelongdelay，anddoubtlesstothewetapplicationswhichtheuninitiatedinvariablyapply，pus。Now，thecarbolicsolution，"toIke，whowasstandingwithwhitefaceandsetteeth。
　　"Youaredoingremarkablywell，"saidthedoctorencouraginglytohim，"remarkablywell。Toanovicethisattimespresentsashockingaspect。Nowweshallattackthisdepression。Theelevator，please。
　　No，theelevator，Mr。Macgregor。Thereitlies。Yes。Nowgently，gently。Justholdthatinposition，"offeringShocktheendoftheinstrumentwhichhewasusingasalevertoraisethedepressedportionoftheskull。"Theotherscalpel，please。Now，aslightpressure。Gently，gently。Wemustbeextremelycarefuloftheedges。
　　No，thatwillnotdo。Thenwemusthaverecoursetothetrephine。"
　　Heliftedtheinstrumentashespoke，andgazedatitwitheverymarkofaffection。
　　"Thisisoneofthemostbeautifulofalltheinstrumentsofmodernsurgery。Alovelyinstrument，alovelyinstrument，indeed。Letussecureourfirmsurface。Thatseemssatisfactory，"beginningtobore。
　　ThiswastoomuchforIke。Hehastilysetdownthebasinandspongeonachair，thenstraightenedupinavainefforttoregainmasteryofhimself。
　　"Ah，"saidthedoctor。"PoorIke！Thespiritiswilling，butthesympatheticnerveisevidentlyseriouslydisturbed，therebyaffectingthevasomotor，andwilllikelyproducecompletesyncope。
　　Layhimdownonhisbackimmediately。"
　　"No，"saidIke，"Iaintnogood。I’mgoingout。"
　　"Now，"saidthedoctorcalmly，whenShockandhehadbeenleftalone，"Ihopetherewillbenomoreinterruption。Wemustproceedwiththetrephining。Ah，beautiful，beautiful！"hisquickmoving，deftfingerskeepingpacewithhismonologue。
　　"Therenow，"afterafewminutes’workwiththetrephine，"thedepressionislifted。Weshallsoonbefinished。"
　　Withsupple，firmfingershesewedthescalp，dressedthewound，andwasdone。
　　"ThankGod！"saidShock，withalongbreath。"Willhelive？"
　　"Itisaquestionnowofstrengthandvitality。Iftheinflammationisnottoowidelyextendedthechildmayrecover。Younglifeisverytenacious。"
　　Thedoctorwashedhishands，wipedhisinstruments，putthemcarefullyawayintheircase，andsatdown。
　　"Doctor，"saidShock，"thatisagreatwork。Eventoalaymanthatoperationseemswonderful。"
　　Underthestimulusofhisprofessionalworkthedoctor’sface，whichbuttwodaysbeforehadbeensoftandflabby，seemedtohavetakenonafirmer，harderappearance，andhiswholemanner，whichhadbeenshufflingandslovenly，hadbecomealertandself—reliant。
　　"Amanwhocandothat，doctor，candogreatthings。"
　　Ashadowfellonhisface。Thelookofkeenintelligencebecameclouded。Hisveryframelostitserectpoise，andseemedtofalltogether。Hisprofessionalairofjauntycheerfulnessforsookhim。
　　Hehuddledhimselfdownintohischair，puthisfaceinhishands，andshuddered。
　　"Mydearsir，"hesaid，liftinguphisface，"itisquiteuseless，quitehopeless。"
　　"No，"saidShockeagerly，"donotsaythat。SurelytheAlmightyGod—
　　—"
　　Thedoctorputuphishand。
　　"Iknowallyouwouldsay。HowoftenhaveIheardit！ThefaultisnotwiththeAlmighty，butwithmyself。Iamstillhonestwithmyself，andyet——"Herehepausedforsomemoments。"Ihavetried——
　　andIhavefailed。Iamawreck。Ihaveprayed——prayedwithtearsandgroans。Ihavedonemybest。ButIambeyondhelp。"
　　ForafullminuteShockstood，gazingsadlyatthenoblehead，thefacesomarred，thehuddlingform。Heknewsomethingoftheagonyofremorse，humiliation，fear，anddespairthatthemanwassuffering。
　　"Dr。Burton，"saidShock，withtheairofamanwhohasformedapurpose，"youarenottellingthetruth，sir。"
　　Thedoctorlookedupwithaflashofindignationinhiseyes。
　　"Youaremisrepresentingfactsintwoimportantparticulars。Youhavejustsaidthatyouhavedoneyourbest，andthatyouarebeyondallhelp。Thesimpletruthisyouhaveneitherdoneyourbest，norareyoubeyondhelp。"
　　"Beyondhelp！"criedthedoctor，startingupandbeginningtopacethefloor，castingasidehisusualgentlemanner。"Youuseplainspeech，sir，butyourevidentsincerityforbidsresentment。IfyouknewmyhistoryyouwouldagreewithmethatIstatethesimpletruthwhenIdeclarethatIambeyondhelp。Youseebeforeyou，sir，thesometimePresidentoftheFacultyofGuy’s，London，amanwithareputationsecondtononeintheMetropolis。Butneitherreputation，norfortune，norfriendscouldavailtosavemefromthiscurse。I
　　cametothiscountryindesperation。Itwasaprohibitioncountry。
　　CursedbethosewhoperpetratedthatfraudupontheBritishpublic！
　　IfLondonbebad，thiscountry，withitsisolation，itsmonotonyoflife，andthisdamnablepermitsystem，isathousandtimesworse。
　　GodpitythefoolwholeavesEnglandinthehopeofrecoveringhismanhoodandfreedomhere。IcametothisGod—forsaken，homelesscountrywithsomehopeofrecoveryinmyheart。Thathopehaslongsincevanished。Iamnowbeyondallhelp。"
　　"No，"saidShockinaquiet，firmvoice，"youhavetoldmenothingtoprovethatyouarebeyondhelp。"Infact，"hecontinuedalmostbrusquely，"nomanofsenseandhonestyhasarighttosaythat。
　　"Yes，"hecontinued，inanswertothedoctor’sastonishedlook，"salvation，asitiscalled，isamatterofcommonsenseandhonesty。"
　　"Ithoughtyouclergymenpreachedsalvationtobeamatteroffaith。"
　　"Faith，yes。Thatisthesamething。Commonsense，Icallit。Amanisafooltothinkheisbeyondhelpwhilehehaslife。Alittlecommonsenseandhonestyisallyouwant。Now，letusfindCarroll。
　　But，doctor，letmylastwordtoyoubethis——donoteversayorthinkwhatyouhavesaidtometo—day，Itsimplyisnottrue。AndI
　　repeat，themanwhocandothatsortofthing，"pointingtothechildlyingonthebed，"candoagreatdealmore。Goodthingsarewaitingyou。"
　　"Oh，LordGodAlmighty！"saidthedoctor，throwinguphishandsintheintensityofhisemotion。"Youalmostmakemethinkthereissomehope。"
　　"Don’tbeafool，doctor，"saidShockinamatteroffactvoice。
　　"Youaregoingtorecoveryourmanhoodandyourreputation。Iknowit。ButasIsaidbefore，rememberIexpectcommonsenseandhonesty。"
　　"Commonsenseandhonesty，"saidthedoctorasiftohimself。"Noreligion。"
　　"Thereyouare，"saidShock。"Ididnotsaythat。Ididsaycommonsenseandhonesty。Butnow，dogoandfindpoorCarroll。Hewillbeinagony。"
　　"Oh，alittleofitwon’thurthim。Heisratheranundevelopedspecimen，"saidthedoctor，resuminghisprofessionaltone。
　　InafewminuteshereturnedwithCarroll，whosefacewascontortedwithhiseffortstoseemcalm。
　　"Tellme，"hesaidtoShock。"Willtheladlive？"
　　"Theoperationisentirelysuccessful，thankstotheskillofDr。
　　Burtonthere。"
　　"Willhelive？"saidCarrolltothedoctorinahuskytone。
　　"Well，hehasachance——achancenowwhichbeforehehadnot;andifhedoes，youoweittoMr。Macgregorthere。"
　　"Andifhedoesn’t，Ishallowethattohim，"hissedCarrollthroughhisclenchedteeth。
　　ForthisShockhadnoreply。
　　"IshallgoforMrs。Carrollandthechildrennow，"hesaidquietly，andpassedoutoftheroom。
　　"Carroll，"saidthedoctorwithsterndeliberation，"Ihavealwaysknownyoutobeabully，butneverbeforethatyouwereabrute。
　　Thismansavedyourchild’slifeatveryconsiderabledangertohisown。Andasecondtime——ifthechildrecovershehassavedhislife，forhadtheoperationnotbeenperformedtodayyourchildwouldhavedied，andyouwouldhavebeenarrestedformanslaughter。"
　　"Doctor，"saidCarroll，turninguponhim，andstandingnervousandshaking，"itisthatmanorme。Thecountrywon’tholdusboth。"
　　"Then，Carroll，letmetellyou，youhadbettermoveout，forthatmanwon’tmovetillhewantsto。Why，blessmysoul，man，hecouldgrindyouupinhishands。Andasfornerve——well，Ihaveseensomeinmyprofessionalcareer，butneversuchashis。Myadvicetoyouis，donottriflewithhim。"
　　"Blankhissowl！I’llbeevenwidhim，"saidCarroll，pouringoutastreamofoaths。
　　"Dad。"TheweakvoiceseemedtopiercethroughCarroll’scurseslikeashaftoflightthroughadarkroom。
　　Carrolldroppedonhiskneesbythebedsideinarushoftears。
　　"Ah，Patsy，myPatsy！IsityourownvoiceI’mhearin’？"
　　"Dad，darlin’，yedidn’tmaneit，didye，dad？"
　　"What，Patsy？"
　　"Tohitme。"
　　"Ah，mayGodforgiveme！butit’smeselfwouldsoonerdiethanstrikeye。"
　　Thelittleladdrewadeepbreathofcontent。
　　"Andthebigman，"hesaid。"Heputouthishandoverme。Yedidn’thurthim，dad，didye？"
　　"No，no，Patsy，darlin’，"saidthebigIrishman，buryinghisfaceinthepillow。"Speaktoyourdadagainwidyourlovelyvoice。"
　　"Now，Carroll，"saidthedoctorinasternwhisper。"Thatisenough。
　　Notawordmore。Doyouwanttokillyourchild？"
　　Carrollatoncewithatremendouseffortgrewstill，strokingthewhitehandheheldinhis，andkissingthegoldencurlsthatstreamedacrossthepillow，whisperingoverandover，"Patsy，darlin’！"tillthedoctor，hardenedashewastosceneslikethis，wasforcedtostealoutfromtheroomandleavethemtogether。
　　XIV
　　THEOLDPROSPECTOR’SAWAKING
　　ForsixweekstheOldProspectorlayfrettinghislifeawayinhisshack，notsoillastobeindanger。Thepneumoniahadalmostdisappearedandtherheumatismhadsubsided，butyetsuchgravesymptomsremainedasmadethedoctorforbidhissettingforthuponhisannualquestoftheLostRiver。InthesedayshischiefcomfortwasShock，whoseoldhabitofsharinghisexperiencesinimaginationwiththosewhocouldnotsharetheminreality，relievedfortheOldProspectormanyamonotonoushour。
　　ButShock’sdays，andmostofhisnights，even，werespentuponthetrailroundingup"straysandmavericks，"asIkesaid，searchingoutthelonelybachelorshacks，andlonelierhomeswherewomendweltwhosehusbands’dayswerespentontherange，andwhosenearestneighbourmightbeeightortenmilesaway，bringingatouchoftheouterworld，andleavingagleamofthelightthathecarriedinhisownsunny，honestface。
　　AndsoShocksooncametoknowmoreofthefarbacksettlersthandideventheoldesttimer;and，whatwasbetter，hebegantoestablishamongthemsomesortofsociallife。ItwasShock，forinstance，thatdiscoveredoldMrs。Hamiltonandhertwosons，anddroveheraftermuchpersuasioneightmilesover"TheRise，"pastwhichshehadnotsetherfootfortheninelong，sadyearsthathaddraggedouttheirlonelylengthsinceherhusbandleftheralonewithhertwoboysofsevenandnine，tovisitMrs。Macnamara，thedelicatewifeoftherollickingIrishrancher，who，seldomoutofthesaddlehimself，hadneverbeenabletounderstandtheheart—
　　hungerthatonlybecamelessasherownliferanlow。Itwasherlittlefamilygrowingupabouther，atoncedraininghervitalitybut，thankGod，nourishinginherhearthopeandcourage，thatpreservedforherfaithandreason。ItwasagreatdayfortheMacnamaraswhentheirbigfienddroveovertheirnextneighbour，Mrs。Hamilton，tomakeherfirstcall。
　　AnotherresultofShock’sworkbecameapparentinthegradualdevelopmentofLoonLake，or"TheLake，"asitwasmostfrequentlynamed，intoacentreofsociallife。Inthefirstplaceaschoolhadbeenestablished，inwhichMarionhadbeeninstalledasteacher，andoncethechildrencametothevillageitwaseasierfortheparentstofindtheirwaythither。
　　Everyweek，too，TheKidandIkefoundoccasionstovisitTheLakeandcallforShock，whomadehishome，forthemostpart，withtheOldProspector。Everyweek，too，thedoctorwouldappeartopayavisittohispatients;but，indeed，insomewayorotherthedoctorwasbeingconstantlyemployedoncasesdiscoveredbyShock。TheMacnamara’sbabywiththeclub—foot，ScrubKettle’sgirlwiththespinaltrouble;LawrenceDelamere，thehandsomeyoungEnglishladupin"ThePass，"whoseleg，injuredinamineaccident，neverwouldhealtillthedoctorhadscrapedthebone——theseandmanyothersowedtheirsoundnesstoShock’sprospectingpowersandtothedoctor’sskill。Andsomanyamiletheydrovetogethertotheirmutualgood。For，whilethedoctorprosecutedwithdelightanddiligencehishealingart，allunconsciouslyhehimselfwasregainingsomethingofhisfreedomandmanhood。