“Hold the light, Fogarty,” he said in a firm, decided tone, “and keep your nerve.  I thought he’d pull through without it, but he’ll strangle if I don’t.”

“What ye goin’ to do—­not cut him?” whispered the fisherman in a trembling voice.

“Yes.  It’s his only chance.  I’ve seen it coming on for the last hour—­no nonsense now.  Steady, old fellow.  It’ll be over in a minute. ...  There, my boy, that’ll help you.  Now, Fogarty, hand me that cloth. ...  All right, little man; don’t cry; it’s all. over.  Now open the door and let your wife in,” and he laid the child back on the pillow.

When the doctor took the blanket from the sorrel tethered outside Fogarty’s cabin and turned his horse’s head homeward the sails of the fishing-boats lying in a string on the far horizon flashed silver in the morning sun, His groom met him at the stable door, and without a word led the mare into the barn.

The lamp in his study was still burning in yellow mockery of the rosy dawn.  He laid his case of instruments on the desk, hung his cloak and hat to a peg in the closet, and ascended the staircase on the way to his bedroom.  As he passed his mother’s open door she heard his step.

“Why, it’s broad daylight, son,” she called in a voice ending in a yawn.

“Yes, mother.”

“Where have you been?”

“To see little Tod Fogarty,” he answered simply.

“What’s the matter with him?”

“Croup.”

“Is he going to die?”

“No, not this time.”

“Well, what did you stay out all night for?” The voice had now grown stronger, with a petulant tone through it.

“Well, I could hardly help it.  They are very simple people, and were so badly frightened that they were helpless.  It’s the only child they have left to them—­the last one died of croup.”

“Well, are you going to turn nurse for half the paupers in the county?  All children have croup, and they don’t all die!” The petulant voice had now developed into one of indignation.

“No, mother, but I couldn’t take any risks.  This little chap is worth saving.”

There came a pause, during which the tired man waited patiently.

“You were at the Cobdens’?”

“Yes; or I should have reached Fogarty’s sooner.”

“And Miss Jane detained you, of course.”

“No, mother.”

“Good-night, John.”

“Say rather ‘Good-day,’ mother,” he answered with a smile and continued on to his room.

CHAPTER IV

ANN GOSSAWAY’S RED CLOAK

The merrymakings at Yardley continued for weeks, a new impetus and flavor being lent them by the arrival of two of Lucy’s friends—­her schoolmate and bosom companion, Maria Collins, of Trenton, and Maria’s devoted admirer, Max Feilding, of Walnut Hill, Philadelphia.