ot sure----! I'm not sure! And I don't know what else to
do--I've got no medicine--so I can't stay. All I can tell ye is to keep
her warm--and give her everything good to eat that she can take--she's
in God's hands--Good-by----

[_The_ DOCTOR _hurries through the gate--and leaves_ ABE _and_ TOM
_gazing forlornly after him, as_ SARAH _comes from the house._]

SARAH

I've got the towel and bowl all ready----

[_Pauses._]

What's the matter----?

[_Looks around._]

Where's the doctor----?

ABE

He's gone----

SARAH

Gone----?

TOM

Yes----

[NANCY _enters by door of cabin._]

[NANCY'S _sudden appearance in the door swings_ ABE _around with a
quick cry of pain. The sun is tinging the eastern sky with the
splendor of an Indian Summer morning. The mother's figure in blue
homespun suggests against the dark background of the cabin door the
coming of a spirit from the unseen world. She pauses a moment in
the doorway and smiles at her son._]

ABE

Oh, Ma, you mustn't----

TOM

[_Following._]

Nancy----!

NANCY

I'm better, I'm a lot better----

ABE

You're too sick to come out here, Ma----

NANCY

[_Smiling._]

I can walk--as well as you can,--see----

[_She sways slightly toward the settee._]

ABE

But the Doctor says you must keep warm----

NANCY

Well--I have on the warm stockings that Sarah knit for me and the coon
skin moccasins you made--don't you see, I'm better now----?

ABE

[_Joyfully._]

Look, Pa, she's better!

SARAH

Yes--she's better!

TOM

[_Alarmed._]

Don't try to walk--set down, honey!

NANCY

[_Sinking on bench._]

Yes--I will----

[_The boy comes closer, staring eagerly into his mother's face._]

NANCY

Come closer, my boy----

[ABE _kneels at her feet._]

TOM

I'm a feared of this, Nancy--you better let me git a hot rock and wrap
it up for your feet.