"It would be better, though, than letting her die," Rod insisted.

"Sure, sure," the captain agreed. "But I don't like the idea, fer all
that. Let's go home now and think of some other plan. If it comes to
the worst, we might have to beg, but not if we kin help it."




CHAPTER XXVII

JIMMY

It took Jimmy Britt many weeks to regain his strength after his serious
illness. For a long time he manifested very little interest in what
was going on around him. His father and mother wore greatly
disappointed and discouraged. He only spoke when spoken to, and spent
hours wandering alone along the shore or out in the woods. The scouts
annoyed him, and they kept as far from him as possible and he from
them. The only conversation he had with his father concerning his past
life was the day he spoke about Anna Royanna, and the influence her
song had upon him. The captain and Mrs. Britt were afraid that the
blow he had received upon his head had somewhat affected his brain, and
this caused them considerable worry. The neighbours had already
whispered this among themselves, for they had been quick to notice the
change which had come over the returned son.

"Look here, Jimmy," his father said that evening after the scouts had
left, "I want ye to write a letter fer me. My old hand is so cramped
that I kin hardly hold a pen. Ye used to be good at sich work."