Don was out lapping the water as I came by , and I do n't believe he 's mad any more than I am . Still , to ease our minds and compose our spirits , and get our guilty faces out of sight for a while , I think we had better drive into town to my old friend Dr Morrison , and let him just take a look at my work , and give us some quieting little dose ; for we are all rather shaken by this flurry . Sit still , Rob ; and Ted , you harness up while I run and get my hat and tell Aunty to excuse me to Daisy . I do n't know those Penniman girls , and she will be glad of our room at tea , and we 'll have a cosy bite at my house , and come home as gay as larks . ' Nan talked on as a vent for the hidden emotions which professional pride would not allow her to show , and the boys approved her plan at once ; for action is always easier than quiet waiting . Ted went staggering away to wash his face at the pump , and rub some colour into his cheeks before he harnessed the horse . Rob lay tranquilly on the hay , looking up at the swallows again as he lived through some very memorable moments . Boy as he was , the thought of death coming suddenly to him , and in this way , might well make him sober ; for it is a very solemn thing to be arrested in the midst of busy life by the possibility of the great change . There were no sins to be repented of , few faults , and many happy , dutiful years to remember with infinite comfort . So Rob had no fears to daunt him , no regrets to sadden , and best of all , a very strong and simple piety to sustain and cheer him . ` Mein Vater , ' was his first thought ; for Rob was very near the Professor 's heart , and the loss of his eldest would have been a bitter blow . These words , whispered with a tremble of the lips that had been so firm when the hot iron burned , recalled that other Father who is always near , always tender and helpful ; and , folding his hands , Rob said the heartiest little prayer he ever prayed , there on the hay , to the soft twitter of the brooding birds . 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 XXXXX .
Aunty Daisy Don Morrison Nan Penniman Professor Rob colour left