thout 'em this
morning when I forgot about using them."
She glanced defiantly from one face to another, as if expecting a storm
of protest; but to her great surprise, Mrs. Campbell smiled
encouragingly as she mildly inquired, "Why don't you try it, dear?"
The crutches fell to the floor with a crash. Peace took several halting
steps across the room, as if afraid to trust herself. The blood flew to
her pale cheeks, dyeing them crimson, a look of wonder, almost alarm,
shone in her eyes, her breath came in startled gasps, and clasping her
hands together in rapture, she half whispered, "I can walk, I can WALK!
I CAN WALK! My legs are all right again!"
Suddenly she let out a scream of wildest exultation, seized her hat from
the library table where she had thrown it, and rushed pell-mell from the
door.
"Peace!" cried Mrs. Campbell, starting up in alarm.
"O, Peace!" echoed the sisters, giving chase.
"Stop, Peace!" thundered the President, hurrying after them all.
"Where are you going?" the whole family demanded.
"To tell St. John and--"
"But we haven't had dinner yet" protested Gail.
"It doesn't matter!" Peace was out of the house and down the steps by
this time. "I must tell St. John!"
"But childie, Jud hasn't harnessed the horses."
"O, Grandpa, I _can't_ wait. It will be so long. My feet won't keep
still! I can walk! I must tell St. John!" Shaking her hat at them as she
ran, as if to ward them off, she fled down the quiet Sunday street,
leaving the family hanging in open-mouthed amazement over the picket
fence, staring after her. And the last glimpse they caught of their
transported Peace as she whisked around the corner was a pair of lithe,
brown-clad legs climbing aboard a northbound car. She was on her way to
tell St. John and Elspeth the wonderful tidings.
Peace could walk again!
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