They felt
like a group of schoolboys caught in some act of mischief, and they longed
to get away.
As Nellie looked upon them, a bright smile illumined her face. She
surmised the purpose of their visit, and it pleased her.
"Thank you for that chorus," she said, hardly knowing what else to say. "I
didn't know you were here."
"Pardon us, miss," Jake replied, stepping forward. "It wasn't fair of us
to be standin' here listenin'. But we couldn't help it. An' when ye sang
that old hymn it jist melted us down. We come to inquire about the boy.
Mebbe ye'd tell us how he's gettin' along."
"There's no change as yet, that we can see," Nellie replied. "But the
doctor says it must come soon one way or the other. Would you like to see
him? If you come in one at a time, I don't think it will do any harm."
Without a word Jake followed her into the room, and stood with his hat in
his hand looking down upon the bed.
"Poor little chap," he whispered. "Ain't it a pity?"
Hardly had he ceased speaking when Dan suddenly opened his eyes and looked
about him in a dazed manner.
"Where--where's my rose?" he cried.
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