h that same pleasant look of the eyes. "I
think there is not much the matter--except what you said."

Mr. Simlins stalked off and was rather more grim than usual in the
barn. The huskers had returned to their merriment, and the slight sound
of wheels in the road from time to time of course attracted no
attention. After one of these signals, however, Jem Waters appeared at
the front door.

"Mr. Simlins there's a gentleman wants to see yer. I'll take yer place."

"Very few strides did Mr. Simlins make between the barn and the house,
and slight was his stay of greeting to Dr. Harrison.

"He's in here--" said he leading the way.

Reuben was just as Mr. Simlins had left him,--it seemed as if he had
not once taken his eyes from the calm face before him. For very calm it
was--reposeful; with not a line disturbed except where a slight
contraction of the brow told of some physical discomfort. But he was
not asleep, for he looked at them the moment they entered; and Reuben
rose then, and stood leaning against the bedpost.

"I'm sorry to see you so," said the doctor. "What's the matter? and
where?"

A little smile, a glance towards the bandaged arm, seemed to say there
was nothing very bad, but that what there was it would be easier for
him to have the doctor find out for himself.

Nor further did the doctor ask, but proceeded to work. And it appeared
soon that Dr. Harrison at play, and Dr. Harrison at work, were two
people--yet the same! The doctor did not indeed play at his work; yet
the work was done with the same skilful ease that he brought to his
play; an ignorant eye could see as much; and Mr. Simlins jealously
looking on, felt very soon at ease as to the doctor's part in the scene
before him. Dr. Harrison knew his business, and knew it well.

Mr. Linden's coat was removed, in the course of which operation a keen
glance of the doctor's eye over at Reuben shewed that he recognized
him; but then he attended to nothing but his patient. He found that a
number of duck shot had been lodged in Mr. Linden's side and arm, the
latter of which was somewhat lacerated, and this was the principal
wound. The others were slight, the shot having taken a slanting
direction and so rather grazed than penetrated. Dr. Harrison with care
and skill went on to extract the shot and dress the wounds, which he
did after the happy and simple regimen of modern discoveries; and
ordered certain restoratives which he judged his patient needed. He