get here soon enough. When I found you were not at home, I was that troubled. Can — can you go up there and see why I can’t rest for thinking he’s a heap worse than he reckons? He thinks he’s better, but — but — ”

“Come in and rest and tell me about it.”

“Mistress Irwin isn’t quite well, and I must go back as soon as I can get everything done at home. I must get dinner for mother and Hoyle. You have been that kind to mother — I thought — I thought — if you could only see him — they can’t spare him to die.”

“Indeed, I’ll go, gladly. But you must tell me more, so that I may know what to take with me. What is the matter with the man? Is he ill or hurt? Let me —