"Now, you know, mother, it's not just like you to be snippish," said he easily. "Besides, after living a while in other parts of the world, I'm beginning to feel that population is not the only thing about Boston that can be enlarged. It's all very nice to pave our streets with intellect so that we can't stray from our own footsteps, but I rather like the idea of losing my way, once in a while, even if I have to look at the same common, old sky up there that the rest of the world looks at, don't you know. I've learned recently that the same sun that shines on Boston also radiates for the rest of the world." "Yes, it shines in Tinkletown," agreed his mother serenely. "But, my dear--" turning to her daughter--"I think you would better wait a while before extending the invitation. There is no excuse for rushing into the unknown. Let time have a chance." "By Jove, mother, you talk sometimes like Anderson Crow. He often says things like that," cried Wicker delightedly. "Dear me! How can you say such a thing, Wicker?" "Well, you'd like old Anderson. He's a jewel!" "I dare say--an emerald. No, no--that was not fair or kind, Wicker. I unsay it. Mr. Crow and all of them have been good to you. Forgive me the sarcasm. Mr. Crow is perfectly impossible, but I like him. He has a heart, and that is more than most of us can say. And now let us return to earth once more. When will you be ready to start for Boston? To-morrow?" "Heavens, no! I'm not to be moved for quite a long time--danger of gangrene or something of the sort. It's astonishing, mother, what capable men these country doctors are. Dr. Smith is something of a marvel. He--he--saved my leg." "My boy--you don't mean that--" his mother was saying, her voice trembling. "Yes; that's what I mean. I'm all right now, but, of course, I shall be very careful for a couple of weeks. One can't tell, you know. Blood poisoning and all that sort of thing. But let's not talk of it--it's gruesome." "Indeed it is. You must be extremely careful, Wicker. Promise me that you will do nothing foolish. Don't use your leg until the doctor--but I have something better. We will send for Dr. J----. He can run up from Boston two or three times--" "Nothing of the sort, mother! Nonsense! Smith knows more in a minute than J---- does in a month. He's handling the case exactly as I want him to. Let well enough alone, say I. You know J---- always wants to amputate everything that can be cut or sawed off. For heaven's sake, don't let him try it on me. I need my legs."