And yet sleep I did, for a little while, just before morning broke.
I had spent the night pacing the floor and talking to Phineas, who was wide awake and full of stories and jokes, to which I paid little attention.Miss Colton did not come to the library again.
From the rooms above I heard occasional sobs and exclamations in Mrs.Colton's voice.Once Doctor Quimby peeped in.He looked anxious and weary.
"Hello, Ros!" he hailed, "I heard you were here.This is a high old night, isn't it!""How is he?" I asked.
"About the same.No worse; in fact, he's better than he was a while ago.But he's not out of the woods yet, though I'm pretty hopeful, for the old boy has a husky constitution--considering the chances he's taken with it all his life.It's his wife that bothers me.She's worse than one of the plagues of Egypt.I've given her some sleeping powders now; they'll keep her quiet for a spell, I hope.""And Miss Colton--how is she?"
"She! She's as calm and sensible and helpful as a trained nurse.
By the Almighty, she is a wonder, that girl! Well, I must get back on my job.Don't have a millionaire patient every day in the week."At three o'clock came a message from Davis.He had not been able to secure a single share.Did his instructions to buy still hold?
I answered that they did and he replied that he was going to get a nap for an hour or so."I shall need the rest, if I am any prophet," he concluded.
It was shortly after this that I lay down on the couch.I had determined not to close my eyes, but I was utterly worn out, Isuppose, and exhaustion got the better of me.The next thing Iknew the gray light of dawn was streaming in at the library windows and Johnson was spreading a tempting-looking breakfast on the table.
I sprang up.
"What time is it?" I demanded.
"About half-past five, sir, or thereabouts," was the answer, in a tone of mingled weariness and resentment.Plainly Mr.Johnson had been up all night and considered himself imposed upon.
I was thankful that my lapse from duty had been of no longer duration.It had been much too long as it was.
"How is Mr.Colton?" I asked.
"Better, sir, I believe.He is resting more quiet at present.""Where is Cahoon?"
"Here I be," this from Phineas in the next room."Have a good snooze, did you, Ros?""Too good." I walked in and found him still sitting by the telegraph instrument."Has anything happened?" I asked.
"Nary thing.All quiet as the tomb since that last message, the one you heard.Pretty nigh fell asleep myself, I did.Guess Ishould have, only Miss Colton she came in and kept me comp'ny for a spell.""Miss Colton--has she been here? Why didn't you call me, Ros?""I was goin' to, but she wouldn't let me.Said you was all wore out, poor feller, and that you wan't to be disturbed unless 'twas necessary.She's an awful nice young woman, ain't she.Nothin'
stuck up about her, at all.Set here and talked with me just as sociable and folksy as if she wan't wuth a cent.Asked more questions than a few, she did.""Did she?" I was not paying much attention to his remarks.My mind was busy with more important things.I was wondering what Davis was doing just then.Phin went on.
"Yup.I happened to remember that you wan't at the bank to-day and I asked her if she knew the reason why.'How did you know he wasn't there?' says she.'Alvin Baker told me fust,' I says, 'and Sam Wheeler told him.Everybody knew it and was wonderin' about it.They cal'lated Ros was sick,' I told her, 'but that couldn't be or he wouldn't be round here settin' up all night.' What WASthe reason you wan't there, Ros?"
I thought it strange that he, and everyone else in town, did not know the reason before this.Was it possible that Captain Dean alone knew of my "treason" to Denboro, and that he was keeping the discovery to himself? Why should he keep it to himself? He had threatened to drive me out of town.
"I had other business to-day, Phin," I answered, shortly.
"Yup.So I gathered from what Cap'n Jed said.He was in the depot this noon sendin' a telegram and I asked him about you.'Is Ros sick?' I says.'Huh!' says he--you know how he grunts, Ros; for all the world like a hog--'Huh!' says he, 'sick! No, but Ical'late he'll be pretty sick afore long.' What did he mean by that, do you s'pose?"I knew, but I did not explain.I made no reply.
"Twas a queer sort of talk, seemed to me," continued Phin."Iasked him again why you wan't at the bank, and he said you had other business, just same as you said now.He was ugly as a cow with a sore horn over somethin' and I judged 'twas best to keep still.That telegram he sent was a surprisin' thing, too.'Twas to--but there! he made me promise I wouldn't tell and so I mustn't.
I ain't told a soul--except one--and then it slipped out afore Ithought.However, that one won't make no difference.She ain't interested in--in the one the telegram was sent to, 'tain't likely.""Where is Miss Colton now?" I asked.
"With her ma and pa, I presume likely.Her and me set and whispered together for a long spell.Land sakes! she wouldn't let me speak louder'n a whisper for fear of wakin' you up.A body'd think you was a young-one in arms, the care she took of you."Again I did not answer, and again the garrulous station master continued without waiting for a reply.
"I says to her, says I, 'It's a pity George Taylor ain't to home,'
I says.'I shouldn't wonder if he could help you with this Louisville stock you're so worried about.George was consider'ble interested in that stock himself a spell ago.I sent much as a dozen telegrams from him about that very stock to some broker folks up to Boston, and they was mighty anxious telegrams, too.I tell you!' I says."He had caught my attention at last.
"Did you tell her that?" I demanded.
"Sure I did! I never meant to, nuther.Ain't told another soul.
