There was no glowing pageantry of dawn; the light spread and grew stronger in grey dignity, and soon he could see the glistening mosses and tender ferns that grew in the crevices of the rocks, and, looking from these things of vivid green, he could draw from the grey light about him the forms of distant hills. Later, the valley seemed to lift itself towards him, showing the fallen masses of the mountain and the white streaks that were streams. Then, sharp in the clear air, he heard the barking of a dog. He rose, stretched his cramped limbs and faced the rocks. The unpassable danger of last night was only difficulty in the morning, and shakily and in fear he overcame it. So, stumbling over the riot of loose stones that strewed the top, staggering down heather slopes imminent with pitfalls, he came at last to the sight of Alexander on the horse-block. That was a good adventure for Theresa. CHAPTER II Alexander quietly opened the bedroom door and tiptoed to the bedside. "I'm awake," said Edward Webb, blinking rapidly. "I thought you never would be. It's four o'clock." "Four o'clock!" "Ay. And I didn't want you to wake up yet a bit." He spoke quickly. "I think I'd better tell you. I've been reading those books of yours. They fell out of your pockets, and I simply couldn't help it, but I've had to do it in the barn for fear my father should see. I'm taking care of them. Will you let me keep them till I've read a bit more? Just an hour or two? Well, I'll let you have the Milton back--I've had him at school--if I can have the Keats. I'll have finished by the time you've had your tea." Here was someone who knew what he wanted! "If you will give me my clothes I will certainly lend you Keats." "I'm much obliged to you. And would you mind not mentioning it to my father?" He went to the door. "I'll tell my mother you're awake, and I should think she'll let you have your clothes. They've been dry this long while. Did you lose your hat?" "Isn't it there?" "No, there's everything but that." "Dear me! Well, I'm fortunate to have lost nothing else." Alexander drew nearer. "You said you saw figures in the mist up yonder. What like were they?" "Did I say that? I was very nervous, very much dazed; you mustn't believe all I said. What else did I say?" "You wanted milk, that's all. Oh, and you seemed to like the smell of bacon." "Ah, I remember--yes, it was a pleasant, homely smell. And I am very grateful to you all. Will you kindly give my thanks to your parents, and ask if I may be allowed to have my clothes, and thank them myself? I was a stranger, and ye took me in." "Mother wouldn't turn away a dog," said Alexander simply. Clara Rutherford, entering the room with her swift, firm step, felt her visitor's pulse, laid her hand on his forehead, looked searchingly into his eyes, and said he might get up. "The stairs are just in front of you," she told him, "and the kitchen's at their foot. You'll find us there when you're ready."