The door leading to the tower stairs was open and at the foot of the stairs lay Uncle George , limp and white . `` Oh , Uncle George , '' gasped Mary Margaret , `` what is the matter ? What has happened ? '' `` Mary Margaret ! Thank God ! I was just praying to Him to send somebody to ` tend the light . Who 's with you ? '' `` Nobody ... I got frightened because there was no light and I rowed over . Mother and Uncle Martin are away . '' `` You do n't mean to say you rowed yourself over here alone in the dark and snow ! Well , you are the pluckiest little girl about this harbour ! It 's a mercy I 've showed you how to manage the light . Run up and start it at once . Do n't mind about me . I tumbled down those pesky stairs like the awkward old fool I am and I 've broke my leg and hurt my back so bad I ca n't crawl an inch . I 've been lying here for three mortal hours and they 've seemed like three years . Hurry with the light , Mary Margaret . '' Mary Margaret hurried . Soon the Big Dipper light was once more gleaming cheerfully athwart the stormy harbour . Then she ran back to her uncle .
There was not much she could do for him beyond covering him warmly with quilts , placing a pillow under his head , and brewing him a hot drink XXXXX tea .
about at athwart because in like of over to with