t'll sometime be Dr. Jabb's. Wicky holds a mortgage on me,
body and soul, and Doc holds one on Wicky, and so it's a kind of
Peter-and-Paul job. Be all right in a hundred years and there ain't a
man in old Maryland nor Anne Arundel can hold a taller candle to my
brother Wickliffe Stillwell, nor a wax one, either. I can talk, can't
I? So can he--when he can catch anybody an' make 'em listen. Here we
be--most. That's my castle yonder. Hope Lucetty ain't asleep. If she
is, she'll wake up lively when she hears my yodel. Nicest woman in the
world, Lucetty. A pleasin' contrast to Lizzie, Wicky's wife. That
woman'd drive _me_ crazy but she suits him."

All this information had not been given at once, but at intervals
along the way through the forest where the travelling was smooth. But
rough or smooth, the path had been a direct one, swiftly yet gently
followed by this good Samaritan of the wilderness; and now, as he gave
that warning cry he boasted, a light appeared in the windows of the
whitewashed cabin they approached and, roused by the musical, piercing
signal, Gerald stirred faintly on his litter.

"Comin' to! Good enough! I knew he would, soon's he came within
hailing distance of Lucetty!"

Seen by moonlight the humble dwelling looked rather pretty, so
gleaming was its whitewash and so green the vines that clambered about
its door. In reality it had once been negro quarters, a low ceiled
cabin of three rooms--and a pig-pen! The latter a most important
feature of this home.

Following the candle-light a woman appeared. She was slender to
emaciation and her face almost colorless; but a beautiful smile
habitually hovered about the thin lips and the blue eyes were gentle
and serene. Evidently, she was among the poorest of the poor of this
earth, but, also, the happiest.

"Why, Corny, dear! Back so soon? And you've brought me company I see.
They are welcome, sure, but--what's wrong here?"

Stepping outside the woman bent above Gerald and earnestly studied
his face. Then she swiftly turned, ordering:

"Fetch him right in. Lay him there. Somebody light the kindlings in
the stove. One of you fetch a pail of water from the well. Pour it
into that tea-kettle, get it hot soon's possible. Corny, fetch your
good shirt. Haul that 'comfort' off the children's bed--it's warm from
their little bodies, bless 'em! Now help me get these wet things off
and dry ones on. Soon's the water boils make a cup of ginger tea.
Thank goodness