"I heerd of it--that is, I heerd you'd gone up to the mountain and broke something; I couldn't find out what 'twas; and then Hephzibah she said she would go down to Melbourne Sunday. I said to her, says I, 'Hephzibah, I wouldn't go all that ways, child, for to do nothing; 'tain't likely but that some part of the story's true, if you and me can't find out which;' but Hephzibah she took her own head and went; and don't you think, she came back a cryin'?" "What was that for?" said Daisy, looking very much interested. "Why she couldn't find you, I guess; and she thought you was killed. But you ain't, be you?" "Only my foot and ankle hurt," said Daisy smiling; "and I am doing very well now." "And was you broke anywheres?" "My ankle was broken." "I declare! And you couldn't be took home?" "No." "So the folks said; only they said that young soldier had killed you. I hope he got hurted himself?" "Why Mrs. Harbonner, _he_ did not do it. It was an accident. It wasn't anybody's fault." "It wouldn't ha' happened if _I_ had been there, I can tell you!" said Hephzibah's mother. "I don't think much of a man if he ain't up to taking care of a woman;--and a child above all. Now how long are you goin' to be in this fix?" "I don't know. I suppose I shall have to lie still for four or five weeks more, before my foot is well." "It's tiresome, I guess, ain't it?" "Yes--sometimes." "Well I used to think, if folks was good, things wouldn't happen to 'em. That's what I thought. That was my study of divinity. And when everything on earth happened to me, I just concluded it was because I warn't a bit too good to deserve it. Now I'm beat--to see you lie there. I don't see what is the use of being good, if it don't get none." "O Mrs. Harbonner!" said Daisy--"I am glad my foot was broken." "Well, I'm beat!" was all Mrs. Harbonner could say. "You air, be you?" "It hasn't done me any harm at all; and it has done me a great deal of good." Mrs. Harbonner stood staring at Daisy. "The promise is sure," said Mrs. Benoit. "All things shall work together for good to them that love God!" The other woman wheeled about and looked at her for an instant with a sharp keen eye of note-taking; then she returned to Daisy. "Well I suppose I'll tell Hephzibah she won't see you again till summer's over; so she may as well give over thinking about it." "Do you think Hephzibah wants to learn, Mrs. Harbonner?" "Well, I guess she does." "Wouldn't she come here and get her lessons? Couldn't she come to see me every day while I am here?" "I 'spose she'd jump out of her skin to do it," said Mrs. Harbonner. "Hephzibah's dreadful sot on seeing you." "Mrs. Benoit," said Daisy, "may I have this little girl come to see me every day, while I am here?"