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 Nan sternly , because , her heart was faint within her , knowing as she did all that might be in store for both poor boys . ` Keep quiet ; I 'll be back in a minute , ' she added , going towards the house , while her quick mind hastily planned what was best to be done . It was ironing day , and a hot fire still burned in the empty kitchen , for the maids were upstairs resting . Nan put a slender poker to heat , and as she sat waiting for it , covered her face with her hands , asking help in this sudden need for strength , courage , and wisdom ; for there was no one else to call upon , and young as she was , she knew what was to be done if she only had the nerve to do it . Any other patient would have been calmly interesting , but dear , good Robin , his father 's pride , his mother 's comfort , everyone 's favourite and friend , that he should be in danger was very terrible ; and a few hot tears dropped on the well-scoured table as Nan tried to calm her trouble by remembering how very likely it was to be all a mistake , a natural but vain alarm . ' I must make light of it , or the boys will break down , and then there will be a panic . Why afflict and frighten everyone when all is in doubt ? I wo n't . I 'll take Rob to Dr Morrison at once , and have the dog man see Don . Then , having done all we can , we will either laugh at our scare -- if it is one -- or be ready for whatever comes . Now for my poor boy . ' Armed with the red-hot poker , a pitcher of ice-water , and several handkerchiefs from the clotheshorse , Nan went back to the barn ready to do her best in this her most serious 'em ergency case ' . The boys sat like statues , one of despair , the other of resignation ; and it took all Nan 's boasted nerve to do her work quickly and well . ` Now , Rob , only a minute , then we are safe . Stand by , Ted ; he may be a bit faintish . ' Rob shut his eyes , clinched his hands , and sat like a hero . Ted knelt beside him , white as a sheet , and as weak as a girl ; for the pangs of remorse were rending him , and his heart failed at the thought of all this pain because of his wilfulness . It was all over in a moment , with only one little groan ; but when Nan looked to her assistant to hand the water , poor Ted needed it the most , for he had fainted away , and lay on the floor in a pathetic heap of arms and legs . Rob laughed , and , cheered by that unexpected sound , Nan bound up the wound with hands that never trembled , though great drops stood on her forehead ; and she shared the water with patient number one before she turned to patient number two .
XXXXX was much ashamed , and quite broken in spirit , when he found how he had failed at the critical moment , and begged them not to tell , as he really could not help it ; then by way of finishing his utter humiliation , a burst of hysterical tears disgraced his manly soul , and did him a world of good .
Don Morrison Nan Rob Robin Ted day fire minute wilfulness