“Poor boy!” murmured the hired man, who had brought the family touring car to the station.

“Dis am de wust yet, de werry wust!” came from Aleck Pop, who had come along.  Both men aided Sam in getting Tom into the car, and then Jack started for Valley Brook farm, running the machine with the greatest possible care.

Aunt Martha stood on the piazza ready to receive the boys, and when she beheld Tom’s pale face the tears streamed down her cheeks.

“My boy!  My poor boy!” she cried.  “Oh, what a terrible happening!” And she bent over and kissed him.

“Oh, don’t worry, Aunt Martha; I’ll soon be myself again,” answered Tom, as cheerfully as his spirits permitted.

“I’ve got the front room all ready for you,” went on the aunt.  And she led the way into the house and to the apartment in question.  Here the sufferer was put to bed, and his aunt did all in her power to make him comfortable.  The local doctor had already been notified, and soon he appeared, to read a note written by the city specialist and listen to what Sam had to tell him.  Then he took charge and said Tom must be kept very quiet.

“It shall be as you say, Doctor,” said Mrs. Rover.  And after that, for a number of days, nobody but the members of the family was allowed to go in and talk to the youth.

In the meantime, Dick and his father had several interviews with their lawyer, and also with a lawyer who represented Pelter, Japson, and Belright Fogg.  The brokers and Fogg were anxious to hush matters up, and promised to do whatever was wanted by the Rovers if they would drop the case against them.

“I think we had better arrange matters, Dick,” said Mr. Rover, with a sigh.  “I am tired of fighting.  If they will do the fair thing all around, let them go.”

“Just as you say, Father,” replied Dick.  “But they must give up everything that belongs to us.”

“Well, you can see to it that they do—­ you and Mr. Powell,” answered Anderson Rover.  “I am going back to the farm to rest, and after that I think I’ll travel a little for my health.”

“All right, Dad.  But—­ but——­” Dick stammered and grew red.  “You—­ er—­ you won’t go away until after my wedding, will you?”

“No, Dick, I’ll stay home until after you and Dora are married,” answered Mr. Rover, with a quiet smile.

CHAPTER XXX

 Mrs. Dick Rover—­ conclusion

“The day of days, Dick!”

“Right you are, Sam!  And what a perfect day it is!”

“Oh, I had this weather made to order,” came from Tom Rover, with a grin.

“How do you feel, Tom?” questioned his big brother kindly, as he turned away from the window to look at the lad who had been hurt.

“Oh, I’m as chipper as a catbird with two tails!” sang out the fun-loving Rover.  But his pale face was not in keeping with his words.  Tom was not yet himself.  But be wasn’t going to show it—­ especially on Dick’s wedding day.