at silly way nobody
could help it!" Her indignation, however, gave way to fear, as Lewis
continued to lie motionless on the ground. "Is he hurt, or only
shamming?" she said. "Lewis! Lewis! get up and run home before anyone
sees you!" Even this appeal produced no effect on the prostrate
figure, and the children became seriously alarmed.

"I don't think he can be pretending," observed Betty; "he would be
afraid to lie there so near the yard. Besides, he is in such a funny
position."

"I must go down and see what is the matter," said Madge decidedly.
"No, I sha'n't try the handkerchiefs, we have had enough of them, and I
don't think you two really are strong enough to hold me up." Without
waiting to discuss the matter any further she climbed down the ladder
and ran through the yard.

"Hullo, Miss Madge, where are you off to?" cried old Barton from the
corner of the cow-house. "Up to some mischief again, I can see by the
pace you are running? Whatever have you been doing now, I wonder?"

Madge rushed on without answering, and disappeared round the end of the
buildings. Lewis was still lying in a sort of crumpled-up heap when
she reached him. He did not attempt to rise or even speak when she
pulled him by the arm. "I am afraid he must be badly hurt!" she cried
anxiously to Betty and John, who were staring with white frightened
faces from the open door of the loft above.

[Illustration: LEWIS WAS STILL LYING IN A SORT OF CRUMPLED-UP HEAP]

"What shall you do?" they asked. "Will he get better? Can we help?"

"It's something too bad for us. I shall call Barton to look at him,"
replied Madge. There were exclamations of astonishment from the twins.
"Yes, it's no good trying to keep it a secret about Lewis any longer,"
she said gravely. "Of course we shall be scolded, but that can't be
helped."

When Barton came he took a very grave view of the case. "Seems as if
the young gentleman were mortal bad," he said. "Better run up to the
house and call someone at once. It's a question if he ever walks home
again, wherever he comes from!"

"Does Barton mean he will die?" asked John in an awestruck whisper as
the three children ran off for help. Nobody cared to be left behind
with Barton by the side of that still figure on the ground.

"Oh no! Barton only said that to try and frighten us," answered Madge
with a would-be hopeful air. But in her heart fear that Lewis was
already dead so overcame all other c