"
So they all filed up the long flight, and Gibson held open the door, and
Mrs. Sterling from her sofa called out, "Boys, yon don't know how glad I am
to see you all." And just as they began to feel a little bit of hope down
in their hearts, it was so much easier all bearing the suspense together, a
light tripping step came up the staircase, and little Doctor Fisher's big
spectacles were thrust in the doorway.
"Just right. Very sensible." He beamed at them all, and darted over and
took the poor mother's hand.
"Your boy is all right," he said. "His collar bone is broken, to be sure,
but it is a beautiful fracture. And he has some bruises. Thank the Lord it
is no worse."
There was a rustle back of him. Then two or three boys broke from the group
and fell upon him in the rear.
"Is that true?" the foremost one shouted.
"Eh?"--little Doctor Fisher whirled around--"yes indeed, true as gospel.
Oh, see here now," as the whole bunch made a mad plunge for the hall. "Come
back here, boys."
Every single one came slowly back, except Frick; he had cleared the space
to the top of the stairs, and was now making his quickest time on record
down the flight.
"You are not to cheer; I see you want to," and Doctor Fisher gave a little
laugh.
"Yes, sir," Curtis Park answered for the rest.
"Well, you----"
"Doctor Fisher"--it was Mrs.
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