John had not time to stop and ask why Fairy must not come, but went in to the little sitting-room, where Jack and Mrs. Shelley were applying restoratives to the still insensible Charlie. “What is this?” said the shepherd, glancing sternly from the prostrate Charlie to Jack, who dared not meet his father’s glance. “Hush, John! it is a terrible business—listen.” And in a few words Mrs. Shelley, who had heard from Jack exactly how it occurred, told her husband the story, and what prompted the unfortunate blow. “Poor boys, poor boys! Jack, Jack, what were you thinking of?” cried John Shelley, stooping over Charlie to try and see where he was hurt. “He is alive, thank God; perhaps he is only stunned; we must go for Dr. Bates at once,” said John, after a brief examination of Charlie. Here a stifled sob broke from Jack, who was standing with his head buried on his elbow which he was leaning on the corner of the chimney-piece, and caused the shepherd to turn to the son who was suffering far the most acutely. John crossed the room to his eldest son, and put his arm round his neck. He did not say a word, but as Jack grasped his father’s hand, he knew that he not only forgave him, but sympathised with him also. If they had never understood each other before they understood each other now, these two, as they stood half broken-hearted by the chimney-piece. Jack understood that whatever trouble might be in store for him in consequence of his hasty act, his father would be his friend and do his best to help him; he knew, too, that he would never hear a word of blame from his lips, for as children, the shepherd had ever been wont to forgive them directly they showed any signs of repentance, and it did not require much penetration to see that Jack already bitterly regretted his hasty temper. And the shepherd understood what it was that had roused Jack’s anger; in fact, at any rate, he could quite sympathise with his vexation and annoyance at the death of the lamb, and he guessed at his jealousy with regard to Fairy, for Jack’s love for her was no secret to his father. “Jack, some one must go for the doctor at once. Will you, or shall I?” asked the shepherd. “Oh! I will, I can go quicker; besides, you can’t leave the men yet,” said Jack, rising and seizing his hat. “That is the best plan; I can’t dismiss these men yet, but I will tell them we have had a bad accident, so I can’t ask them to stay late, and I’ll come in every few minutes, Polly, to see how you are going on,” said the shepherd, as Jack left the house.