The judge came and opened it.

“Oh, papa, how is he?”

“Breathing, Claudia, that is all!  I wish to Heaven the doctor would come!  Are you sure the messenger went after him!”

“Oh, yes, papa, I am sure!  Do let me come in and see him!”

“It is no place for you, Claudia; he is partially undressed; I will take care of him.”

And with these words the judge gently closed the door in his daughter’s face.

Claudia went back to her post.

“Why don’t the doctor come!  And oh! why don’t Reuben Gray or Hannah come?  It is dreadful to sit here and wait!” she exclaimed, as with a sudden resolution she sprang up again, seized her hat and ran out of the house with the intention of proceeding directly to the Gray’s cottage.

But a few paces from the house she met the doctor’s gig.

“Oh, Doctor Jarvis, I am so glad you have come at last!” she cried.

“Who is it that is hurt?” inquired the doctor.

“Ishmael Worth, our overseer’s nephew!”

“How did it happen?”

“Didn’t they tell you?”

“No.”

“Oh, poor boy!  He threw himself before my horses to stop them as they were running down the steeps over the river; and he turned them aside, but they knocked him down and ran over him!”

“Bad! very bad! poor fellow!” said the doctor, jumping from his gig as he drew up before the house.

Claudia ran in before him, leading the way to the sick chamber, at the door of which she rapped to announce the arrival.  This time old Katie opened the door, and admitted the doctor.

Claudia, excluded from entrance, walked up and down the hall in a fever of anxiety.

Once old Katie came out and Claudia arrested her.

“What does the doctor say, Katie?”

“He don’t say nothing satisfactory, Miss Claudia.  Don’t stop me, please!  I’m sent for bandages and things!”

And Katie hurried on her errand, and presently reappeared with her arms full of linen and other articles, which she carried into the sick-room.  Later, the doctor came out attended by the judge.

Claudia waylaid them with the questions: 

“What is the nature of his injuries? are they fatal?”

“Not fatal; but very serious.  One leg and arm are broken; and he is very badly bruised; but worst of all is the great shock to his very sensitive nervous system,” was the reply of Doctor Jarvis.

“When will you see him again, sir?” anxiously inquired Claudia.

“In the course of the evening.  I am not going back home for some hours, perhaps not for the night; I have a case at Gray’s.”

“Indeed! that is the reason, then, I suppose, why no one has answered my message to come up and see Ishmael.  But who is sick there?” inquired Claudia.

“Mrs. Gray.  Good-afternoon, Miss Merlin,” said the doctor shortly, as he walked out of the house attended by the judge.