"Is Philip Ammon here?" asked the boy.
"He is," said Mrs. Comstock.
"I have a message for him."
"He is in the woods back of the cabin. I will ring the bell. Do you know
if it is important?"
"Urgent," said the boy; "I rode hard."
Mrs. Comstock stepped to the back door and clanged the dinner bell
sharply, paused a second, and rang again. In a short time Philip and
Elnora ran down the path.
"Are you ill, mother?" cried Elnora.
Mrs. Comstock indicated the boy. "There is an important message for
Philip," she said.
He muttered an excuse and tore open the telegram. His colour faded
slightly. "I have to take the first train," he said. "My father is ill
and I am needed."
He handed the sheet to Elnora. "I have about two hours, as I remember
the trains north, but my things are all over Uncle Doc's house, so I
must go at once."
"Certainly," said Elnora, giving back the message. "Is there anything I
can do to help? Mother, bring Philip a glass of buttermilk to start on.
I will gather what you have here."
"Never mind. There is nothing of importance. I don't want to be
hampered. I'll send for it if I miss anything I need."
Philip drank the milk, said good-bye to Mrs. Comstock; thanked her for
all her kindness, and turned to Elnora.
"Will you walk to the edge of the Limberlost with me?" he asked. Elnora
assented. Mrs. Comstock followed to the gate, urged him to come again
soon, and repeated her good-bye.
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