He stepped to the door of the log hut, glanced in, and said, quickly:  “Do you feel able to drive home?”

“Yes,” said Miss Laura.

“Sure?” and he eyed her anxiously.

“Yes, yes,” she returned; “what shall I get?”

“Just tell father that Barron has run away and left a starving pig, cow, and horse.  There’s not a thing to eat here.  He’ll know what to do.  I’ll drive you to the road.”

Miss Laura got into the buggy and Mr. Harry jumped in after her.  He drove her to the road and put down the bars; then he said:  “Go straight on.  You’ll soon be on the open road, and there’s nothing to harm you.  Joe will look after you.  Meanwhile I’ll go back to the house and heat some water.”

Miss Laura let Fleetfoot go as fast as he liked on the way home, and it only seemed a few minutes before we drove into the yard.  Adele came out to meet us.  “Where’s uncle?” asked Miss Laura.

“Gone to de big meadow,” said Adele.

“And auntie?”

“She had de colds and chills, and entered into de bed to keep warm.  She lose herself in sleep now.  You not go near her.”

“Are there none of the men about?” asked Miss Laura.

“No, mademoiselle.  Dey all occupied way off.”

“Then you help me, Adele, like a good girl,” said Miss Laura, hurrying into the house.  “We’ve found a sick horse and cow.  What shall I take them?”

“Nearly all animals like de bran mash,” said Adele.

“Good!” cried Miss Laura.  “That is the very thing.  Put in the things to make it, will you please, and I would like some vegetables for the cow.  Carrots, turnips, anything you have; take some of those you have prepared for dinner tomorrow, and please run up to the barn, Adele, and get some hay, and corn, and oats, not much, for we’ll be going back again; but hurry, for the poor things are starving, and have you any milk for the pig?  Put it in one of those tin kettles with covers.”

For a few minutes, Miss Laura and Adele flew about the kitchen, then we set off again.  Miss Laura took me in the buggy, for I was out of breath and wheezing greatly.  I had to sit on the seat beside her, for the bottom of the buggy and the back were full of eatables for the poor sick animals.  Just as we drove into the road, we met Mr. Wood.  “Are you running away with the farm?” he said with a laugh, pointing to the carrot tops that were gaily waving over the dashboard.

Miss Laura said a few words to him, and with a very grave face he got in beside her.  In a short time, we were back on the lonely road.  Mr. Harry was waiting at the gate for us, and when he saw Miss Laura, he said, “Why did you come jack again?  You’ll be tired out.  This isn’t a place for a sensitive girl like you.”

“I thought I might be of some use,” said she, gently.

“So you can,” said Mr. Wood.  “You go into the house and sit down, and Harry and I will come to you when we want cheering up.  What have you been doing, Harry?”