Alison fought his way back, and it was harder
still, being upwards. The miller and his men came out and cheered,
thinking at least he would come out spent and want help; but no, he
came out only panting a little, put down the dog, and when it moaned
and seemed hurt he felt it all over so tenderly, found its leg was
broken, took it into the miller's kitchen, and set it like any
surgeon. He would take nothing but a cup of tea, whatever they said,
and would not change his clothes--indeed, the miller is a small man,
so I don't see how he could--but I hope he took no harm. He walked
away before we could thank him. But, oh dear! what a wicked thing
scandal is! I will never believe anything report says again."
To the end of their days the Misses Stympson believed that it was the
convenient impersonal rumour which had maligned Harold--not
themselves.
I was just parting with them when Harold appeared, and they
surrounded him, with an inextricable confusion of thanks--hopes that
he had not caught cold, and entreaties that he would look at his
patient, whom they had brought on the back seat of the barouche to
have his leg examined. Harold said that his was self-taught surgery,
but was assured that the dog would bear it better from him than any
one, and could not but consent.
I noticed, however, that when he had to touch the great black
Newfoundland dog, a strong shudder ran through his whole frame, and
he had to put a strong force on himself, though he spoke to it
kindly, and it wagged its tail, and showed all the grateful, wistful
affection of its kind, as he attended to it with a tender skill in
which his former distaste was lost; and the party drove away
entreating him to come and renew the treatment on the Monday, and
asking us all to luncheon, but not receiving a distinct answer in
Eustace's absence, for he was very tenacious of his rights as master
of the house.
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