"Home, John," replied his wife. "You had a fail, and--"
"Yes, I remember. Oh, how my side hurts!"
"Lie still. The doctor will soon be here. Would you like a drink?"
"Yes."
Mrs. Dare gave him some water, but he only drank a little, and then
began to cough.
"It's inside!" he gasped. "My ribs are broken, I think."
Richard comforted his sisters as best he could. It was not long before
Dr. Melvin arrived, and his coming inspired the little household with
hope.
"Is it very serious?" asked Richard, after an examination into his
father's condition had been made.
"I cannot tell yet. Two of his ribs are dislocated, but I dare not
touch them until I find out the extent of his other internal injuries,"
replied the doctor. "He must keep quiet, and every ten minutes give
him a tablespoonful of this mixture."
But, though Dr. Melvin gave these directions, it was fully an hour
before he left, and then he promised to return late in the afternoon.
The whole family were gathered in the sick chamber, baby Madge, three
years old, sitting on Richard's knee. Nancy and Grace had been
frightened into almost absolute silence, and Mrs. Dare addressed herself
to her husband, with an occasional remark to the boy as to what might
further help the sufferer.
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