It did him good ; and wisely laying all his fear and doubt and trouble in God 's hand , the boy felt ready for whatever was to come , and from that hour kept steadily before him the one duty that was plain -- to be brave and cheerful , keep silent , and hope for the best . Nan stole her hat , and left a note on Daisy 's pincushion , saying she had taken the boys to drive , and all would be out of the way till after tea . Then she hurried back and found her patients much better , the one for work , the other for rest . In they got , and , putting Rob on the back seat with his leg up drove away , looking as gay and care-free as if nothing had happened . Dr Morrison made light of the affair , but told Nan she had done right ; and as the much-relieved lads went downstairs , he added in a whisper : ` Send the dog off for a while , and keep your eye on the boy . Do n't let him know it , and report to me if anything seems wrong . One never knows in these cases . No harm to be careful . ' Nan nodded , and feeling much relieved now that the responsibility was off her shoulders , took the lads to Dr Watkins , who promised to come out later and examine Don . A merry tea at Nan 's house , which was kept open for her all summer , did them good , and by the time they got home in the cool of the evening no sign of the panic remained but Ted 's heavy eyes , and a slight limp when Rob walked . As the guests were still chattering on the front piazza they retired to the back , and Ted soothed his remorseful soul by swinging Rob in the hammock , while Nan told stories till the dog man arrived . He said Don was a little under the weather , but no more mad than the grey kitten that purred round his legs while the examination went on . ` He wants his master , and feels the heat . Fed too well , perhaps . I 'll keep him a few weeks and send him home all right , ' said Dr Watkins , as Don laid his great head in his hand , and kept his intelligent eyes on his face , evidently feeling that this man understood his trials , and knew what to do for him . So Don departed without a murmur , and our three conspirators took counsel together how to spare the family all anxiety , and give Rob the rest his leg demanded . Fortunately , he always spent many hours in his little study , so he could lie on the sofa with a book in his hand as long as he liked , without exciting any remark . Being of a quiet temperament , he did not worry himself or Nan with useless fears , but believed what was told him , and dismissing all dark possibilities , went cheerfully on his way , soon recovering from the shock of what he called ` our scare ' . But excitable Ted was harder to manage , and it took all Nan 's wit and wisdom to keep him from betraying the secret ; for it was best to say nothing and spare all discussion of the subject for Rob 's sake . Ted 's remorse preyed upon him , and having no ` Mum ' to confide in , he was very miserable .
By day he devoted himself to Rob , waiting on him , talking to him , gazing anxiously at him , and worrying the good fellow very much ; though he would n't own it , since XXXXX found comfort in it .
Don Morrison Nan Ted Watkins evening hour hours pincushion right