"Thank you--I am going up to see Mr. Linden. Miss Derrick was so good as to promise she would go with me to see my sister this evening. In these circumstances,"--said Dr. Harrison in his softest voice--"do you think it would be presumption to wake her up?"
"Well go up, then," said Mrs. Derrick, "and I'll wake her up before you come down."
Which arrangement took effect; and in a very few minutes thereafter, Dr. Harrison's horse making much better speed than old Crab could do now, Faith was deposited safely at Judge Harrison's door. There she was received with open arms and great exultation by Miss Sophy and with great cordiality and pleasure by the Judge; and with a certain more uncertain amount of both by Mrs. Somers, whom Faith found there, the only addition to the family party; while the doctor stood complacently on the rug, in silence surveying everybody, like a man who has gained his point.
"Well Julius," said Mrs. Somers, "how's Mr. Linden to-night? did you see him?"
"He is--very happily situated," said the doctor. "I should like to be in his place."
"What do you go there twice a day for? Do you think him worse? You began with going once," said Mrs. Somers.
"Always begin gently," said Dr. Harrison. "You get on faster."
"How soon do you expect to take up your abode there altogether, at that rate?"
"At what rate, aunt Ellen? You are too fast for me."
"Nonsense!" said Mrs. Somers, "do you suppose I want to be told what you go there for?--what I _do_ want to know, is whether he's like to get well, and how soon."
"He will be conquering Pattaquasset in a few weeks," said the doctor.
"I wonder whether he'll conquer Phil Davids," said Mrs. Somers. "I should like to see that done. Julius, did you ever find out anything about the man that fired the shot?"
"Really, aunt Ellen, I am not a detective"--said the doctor carelessly, looking at Faith, who kept as quiet as a dormouse. "If it had been my business I suppose I should have found out."
"I think I heard you opine that Mr. Linden knew"--said Mrs. Somers. "And I think somebody ought to find out--unless you want the thing done over again. Don't you think so, Judge Harrison?"
"Well my dear," said the Judge, "I understand Mr. Linden to have been actuated by a very benevolent motive--I understand his feelings. He wouldn't run the risk of accusing a man unjustly--I can't blame him. It's right, I think, though it's provoking. What do you think, Miss Faith?"