once in the house he took matters in his own hands peremptorily. He rebuilt the fire and himself removed her wet garments and her shoes. She was too exhausted to resist. Following the old mother’s directions, he found woollen blankets and, wrapping her about, he took her up like a baby and laid her on her bed. Then he brewed her a hot milk punch and made her take it.

“You need this more than I, Doctah. If you’ll just take some yourself, as soon as I can I’ll make your bed in the loom shed again, and — ”

“Drink it; drink it and go to sleep. Yes, yes. I’ll have some, too.”

“Cass, you lie still and do as doctah says. You nigh about dade, child. If only I could get off’n this bed an’ walk a leetle, I’d