Set down. Let me get you somethin' hot to drink. Come out
in the kitchen by the cookstove. Don't--"
"Hush up! Let me think. I never see such a woman to talk. I--I don't see
how I done it. I left Chris Badger's and came across the fields and--"
"And you took the wrong path, I guess, likely. Did you WALK from Chris
Badger's? Where's your horse and team? You didn't walk from the Centre,
did you?"
"'Course I didn't. Think I'm a dum fool? My horse fell down and hurt his
knee and I left him in Badger's barn. I cal'lated to go to Kenelm's and
put up over night. I--"
He was interrupted by Emily, who entered with a glass in her hand.
"Here's the water, Auntie," she said. "Is he better now?"
"Better?" snorted Solomon. "What's the matter with you? I ain't sick.
What you got in that tumbler? Water! What in time do I want of any more
water? Don't I look as if I'd had water enough to last me one spell?
I'm--consarn it all, I'm a reg'lar sponge! How far off is Kenelm's from
here? How long will it take me to get there?"
Thankful answered, and her answer was decisive.
"I don't know," she said, "but I do know you ain't goin' to try to get
anywhere 'till mornin'. You and I ain't been any too lovin', Solomon
Cobb, but I shan't take the responsibility of your dyin' of pneumonia.
You'll stay right here, and the first thing I'll do is head off that
chill you've got this very minute."
There was no doubt about the chill. Solomon's face and hands were
blue and he was shaking from head to foot.
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