What shall we do , what shall we do ? ' ` Call Nan ; she will know . Do n't scare Aunty , or tell a soul but Nan ; she 's on the back piazza ; get her out here as quick as you can . I 'll wash it till she comes . Maybe it 's nothing ; do n't look so staggered , Ted . I only thought it might be , as Don is queer . ' Rob tried to speak bravely ; but Ted 's long legs felt strangely weak as he hurried away , and it was lucky he met no one , for his face would have betrayed him . Nan was swinging luxuriously in a hammock , amusing herself with a lively treatise on croup , when an agitated boy suddenly clutched her , whispering , as he nearly pulled her overboard : ` Come to Rob in the barn ! Don 's mad and he 's bitten him , and we do n't know what to do ; it 's all my fault ; no one must know . Oh , do be quick ! ' Nan was on her feet at once , startled , but with her wits about her , and both were off without more words as they dodged round the house where unconscious Daisy chatted with her friends in the parlour and Aunt Meg peacefully took her afternoon nap upstairs . Rob was braced up , and was as calm and steady as ever when they found him in the harness-room , whither he had wisely retired , to escape observation . The story was soon told , and after a look at Don , now in his kennel , sad and surly , Nan said slowly , with her eye on the full water-pan : ` Rob , there is one thing to do for the sake of safety , and it must be done at once . We ca n't wait to see if Don is -- sick -- or to go for a doctor . I can do it , and I will ; but it is very painful , and I hate to hurt you , dear . ' A most unprofessional quiver got into Nan 's voice as she spoke , and her keen eyes dimmed as she looked at the two anxious young faces turned so confidingly to her for help . ' I know , burn it ; well , do it , please ; I can bear it . But Ted better go away , ' said Rob , with a firm setting of his lips , and a nod at his afflicted brother . ' I wo n't stir ; I can stand it if he can , only it ought to be me ! ' cried Ted , with a desperate effort not to cry , so full of grief and fear and shame was he that it seemed as if he could n't bear it like a man .
` He 'd better stay and help ; do him good , ' answered XXXXX sternly , because , her heart was faint within her , knowing as she did all that might be in store for both poor boys .
Aunty Daisy Don Nan Rob afternoon burn croup escape harness-room