peonies, Sam made
out belonged to the Widder Biggs. It was harder to rouse her than it had
been to rouse her neighbor. She was a little deaf, and the noise of the
wind and rain added to the difficulty. When she did awaken her first
thought was of burglars, and there was a loud cry to her son Tim to come
quick and bring his gun, for somebody was breaking into the house.

"Robbers don't make such a noise as that! Open your window and see who's
there," was Tim's sleepy answer, as Sam's blows fell heavily upon the
door, accompanied with thuds from Howard's foot.

Mrs. Biggs opened her window cautiously, and thrust out her head, minus
her false hair, and enveloped in a cotton nightcap.

"Who is it? What has happened? Anybody sick or dead?" she asked; and Sam
replied, "Miss Smith is here with a broken laig, for't I know!"

"Miss Smith! A broken leg! For the land's sake, Tim, get up quick!" the
widow gasped.

Closing the window and putting on a skirt, she descended to the kitchen,
lighted an oil lamp, and, throwing open the door, looked at the group
outside. She was prepared for Sam and Miss Smith, and did not mind her
deshabille for them. But at the sight of two gentlemen, and one of them
young Mr. Crompton, she came near dropping her lamp.

"Gracious goodness!" she exclaimed. "Mr. Crompton! And I half-dressed!
Wait till I get on some clothes, and my hair, and my teeth. I am a
sight to behold."

"Never mind your teeth, nor your hair, nor your best gown," Sam said,
pushing open the door Mrs. Biggs had partially closed, and entering the
house, followed by Howard and Jack, with Eloise still clinging to Jack's
neck, and half fainting with the pain in her ankle which had increased
from hanging down so long.

Tim had come by this time, fastening his suspenders as he came, and
caring less for his appearance than his mother. She had disappeared, but
soon returned with teeth, and hair, and clothes in place, and herself
ready for the emergency. Following Tim's directions they had put Eloise
on a couch, where she lay with her eyes closed, and so still that they
thought she had fainted.

"Bring the camphire, Timothy, and the hartshorn, and start up the oil
stove for hot water, and move lively." Mrs. Biggs said to her son. "I
don't believe she's broke her laig, poor thing. How white she is," she
continued, laying her hand on Eloise's forehead.

This brought the tears in a copious shower, as Eloise sat up and said,
"It is my an