Robert Ercildoune. I asked after him, and you'll be
glad to know that he's recovering. He didn't have to lose his leg, as
they feared; and his arm is healing; and the wound in his breast getting
well. Mrs. Lee says she's very sorry the stump isn't longer, so that he
could wear a Palmer arm,--but she's got no complaints to make; they're
only too glad and thankful to have him living at all, after such a
dreadful time.
While I was talking with her, Frankie called me from the next room, and
began to cry. You wouldn't have known him,--he cried at everything, and
was so fretful and cross I could scarcely get along at all. When I got
him quiet, and came back, Mrs. Lee says, "What's the matter with Frank?"
so I told her I didn't know,--but would she see him? Well, she saw him,
and shook her head in a bad sort of way that scared me awfully, and I
suppose she saw I was frightened, for she said, "All he wants is plenty
of fresh air, and good, wholesome country food and exercise." I can
tell you, spite of that, she went away, leaving me with heavy enough a
heart.
The next day Mr. Ercildoune came in. How he is changed! I haven't seen
him before since Mrs. Surrey died, and that of itself was enough to kill
him, without this dreadful time about Mr. Robert.
"Good morning, Miss Sallie," says he, "how are you? and I'm glad to see
you looking so well." So I told him I was well, and then he asked for
Frankie.
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