when you come las’ evenin’.”

“So I am, indeed. And you?” David’s voice rang out gladly. He went to the bed and bent above the old woman, looking her over carefully. “Are you comfortable? Do the weights hurt you?” he asked.

“I cyan’t say as they air right comfortable, but ef they’ll help me to git ‘round agin, I reckon I can bar hit.”

Early that morning, with but the simplest means, David had arranged bandages and weights of wood to hold her in position.

She was so slight he hoped the broken hip might right itself with patience and care, more especially as he learned that her age was not so advanced as her appearance had led him to suppose.