did."

"Well, then, see," and he pointed to the stain on Nell's dress. "We
need a little warm water and soft bandages, or something that will do
for the present."

"My lands! did that brute do that?" Mrs. Jukes exclaimed. "It's no
wonder you rolled him in the dust. Just come inside and I'll get what
you want in a jiffy."

Very gently and with considerable skill Douglas washed and dressed the
injured arm. He made no comment about the nature of the wound, though
it was not hard for him to surmise in what way it had been inflicted.
He saw where the knife had pierced the soft flesh, and his hands
trembled slightly as he thought how serious must have been the attack,
and how great the strain upon Nell's nerves.

"You are as good as a doctor," she laughingly told him. "No one could
do any better than that."

"Oh, I took a course in First Aid at one time, and the knowledge I
gained has served me in good stead on many occasions." Douglas was
just on the point of saying that it was at college where he had learned
such things, and that then he had been seriously thinking of becoming a
medical missionary. It was the nearest he had come to giving himself
away since he had been at Rixton, and he determined to be more cautious
in the future.

Mrs. Jukes insisted that Nell should remain for supper.

"I would have had it ready now," she told her, "if I hadn't spent so
much time at the window. But I guess it was worth it. I won't be
long, anyway, and Jake has not come from the field yet."

Douglas was greatly pleased when Nell at last consented to stay. He
went out to bring in Jake, and when he returned, he found Nell playing
with the Jukes' children. Her face was bright and animated, and she
seemed to have forgotten all about her recent troubles. The little
ones were delighted at the stories she told them, as well as the games
she knew, and they would not leave her when supper was ready, but
insisted on sitting next to her at the table. Douglas sat opposite,
and he was perfectly content to let the others talk. Nell was near; he
could look upon her face, and listen to what she said, and he was
satisfied.

Jake was in great spirits when he learned what had happened.

"Great punkins!" he exclaimed. "I wish I'd been there to have seen it."

"But what about the corn?" Douglas asked. "It didn't get much hoeing
to-day."

"Never mind about the corn, John. Ye kin hoe it agin, but ye might
never git another chanc