"I reckon it is, but I don"t know," answered Abner, whose geographical notions were decidedly hazy.
An hour pa.s.sed, and still Herbert lay almost motionless, as if rest were a luxury, with his eyes fixed thoughtfully upon the clouds that could be seen through the branches floating lazily above.
"Don"t you feel any better, bub?" asked Abner.
"I feel better while I am lying here, Abner."
"Don"t you feel strong enough to walk a little further?"
"Must I?" asked Herbert, sighing. "It is so nice to lie here."
"I am afraid we shall never get to New York if we don"t keep goin"."
"I"ll try," said Herbert, and he rose to his feet, but he only staggered and became very white.
"I am afraid I need to rest a little more," he said.
"All right, bub. Take your time."
More critically Abner surveyed his young companion. He was not used to sickness or weakness, but there was something in the little boy"s face that startled him.
"I don"t think you"re fit to walk any further today," he said. "I wish we had some good place to stay."
At this moment a carriage was seen approaching. It was driven by a lady of middle age, with a benevolent face. Her attention was drawn to the two boys, and especially to Herbert. Her experienced eyes at once saw that he was sick.
She halted her horse.
"What is the matter with your brother?" she said to Abner.
"I reckon he"s tuckered out," said Abner, tacitly admitting the relationship. "We"ve been travelin" for several days. He ain"t so tough as I am."
"He looks as if he were going to be sick. Have you any friends near here?"
"No, ma"am. The nighest is over a hundred miles off."
The lady reflected a moment. Then she said: "I think you had better come to my house. My brother is a doctor. He will look at your little brother and see what can be done for him."
"I should like it very much," said Abner, "but we haven"t got any money to pay for doctors and sich."
"I shan"t present any bill, nor will my brother," said the lady, smiling. "Do you think you can help him into the carriage?"
"Oh, yes, ma"am."
Abner helped Herbert into the carriage, and then, by invitation, got in himself.
"May I drive?" he asked, eagerly.
"Yes, if you like."
The kind lady supported with her arm Herbert"s drooping head, and so they drove on for a mile, when she indicated that they were to stop in front of a large, substantial, square house, built after the New England style.
Herbert was taken out, and, after Abner helped him upstairs, into a large, square chamber, with four windows.
"What is his name?" asked the lady.
"Herbert."
"And yours?"
"Abner."
"He had better lie down on the bed, and, as soon as my brother comes, I will send him up."
Herbert breathed a sigh of satisfaction, as he reclined on the comfortable bed, which was more like the one he slept in at home than the rude, straw bed which he had used when boarding with Mr.
and Mrs. Barton.
Half an hour pa.s.sed, and the doctor came into the room, and felt Herbert"s pulse.
"The boy is tired out," he said. "That is all. His strength has been exhausted by too severe physical effort."
"What shall we do to bring him round?" asked his sister.
"Rest and nourishing food are all that is required."
"Shall we keep him here? Have you any objection?"
"I should object to letting him go in his present condition. He will be a care to you, Emily."
"I shall not mind that. We shall have to keep the other boy, too."
"Certainly. There"s room enough for both."
When Abner was told that for a week to come they were to stay in Dr.
Stone"s comfortable house, his face indicated his satisfaction.
"Ef you"ve got any ch.o.r.es to do, ma"am," he said, "I"ll do "em. I"m strong, and not afraid to work."
"Then I will make you very useful," said Miss Stone, smiling.
The next day, as she was sitting in Herbert"s chamber, she said: "Herbert, you don"t look at all like your brother."
"Do you mean Abner, Miss Stone?" Herbert asked.
"Yes; have you any other brother?"
"Abner is not my brother at all."
"How, then, do you happen to be traveling together?"