you have come down here in the goodness of your heart, to be met with
such an accident as this. What shall we do?" she repeated.

"Goodness of my heart," repeated Mr. King, nevertheless well pleased at
the tribute. "I've had as much pleasure out of it all as you or the
young people. I want you to realize that."

"So does any one who does a kind act," replied Mrs. Pepper, wiping her
eyes; "well, sir, now how shall we manage about going back?"

"That remains to be seen," said Mr. King slowly, and he took a long look
at the winter sky, and the distant landscape before he ventured more.
"It very much looks as if we all should remain for a few days, to see
how Dick is to get on, all but the four boys; they must pack off to
school to-morrow, and then probably Mrs. Whitney will stay over with the
boy till he can be moved. Dr. Fisher will do the right thing by him. Oh!
everything is all right, Mrs. Pepper."

Mrs. Pepper sighed and led the way into the house. She knew in spite of
the reassuring words that the extreme limit of the "outing" ought to be
passed on the morrow.




X

THE PARTY SEPARATES