The midland journal., 1946-05-24
CHAPTER VII


ping up and down her spine, cry
that chilled the blood and left the
heart beating with mad, staggering
haste.
"Tom-" Martha cried.
Megan said quietly, her voice not
quite steady, .'Mrs. Fallon must
have had bad dream. They can
frighten one to pieces"
Martha's eyes widened a little,
and her expression relaxed ever so
slightly. She was plainly startled,
and little suspicious, but as Me-
gan scalded out the teapot, Martha
nodded slowly and said uneasily,
"Yes-it must have been that. She's
--she's-ill and doesn't sleep much,
and my fall excited her and-yes,
she must have had nightmare"
Megan poured the boiling water
into the teapot, and said, her tone
deliberately quiet and natural, "Per-
haps Mrs. Fallon would like a cup
of hot milk? Would it soothe her,
do you Think"
Martha hesitated. ''It might, at
that" she agreed. "Tom could get
her to drink it.
Megan nodded and poured some
milk into saucepan. When it was
hot, she filed a glass and went to
the door with it. She knocked with
the tips of her fingers, very lightly,
and a moment later, Tom opened
the door, She made herself speak
casually and offered him the glass
of milk. He took it from her with
a flash Of gratitude that was touch
ing.
She came back to the stove, and
tested the tea. Martha said it was
''just right" and Megan poured her
a cup of it. They were drinking the
last of the tea when there was
sound of a car in the drive, and a
moment later, DR.. Alden, stout, ell
derly, tired-looking, the typical coun-
try doctor, came briskly in.
"Hello-you here?" he greeted
Megan cheerfully, looking at Mar
tina curiously. "What seems to be
the trouble?"
There's no seeming about it,"
Martha told him tartly. ''I fell and
twisted my ankle somehow, and
Tom would have it that we must call
a doctor"
DR.. Alden made swift examina-
ton of the ankle, congratulating
Megan on the way she had BAN
daged it.
He Strengthened at last, saying
briskly, Painful, but not danger
GUS. Just keep up the treatment,
Megan, and see that she stays off
her feet for the next three or four
days-or a week. I don't look for
any complications"
AS he turned towards the door,
Tom came out of that room that was
in such sharp contrast to the drab,
cheerless house, and shook hands
with the doctor, thanking him for
his trip.
He walked with him out to the
car. When he came back, he said
to Megan, "I don't know how to
thank you"
There's nothing to thank me
for"
81 mow-it's just the neighborly
spirit of Pleasant Grove" he told
her, smiling.
''Well, it is, at that" she assured
him sturdily. ''Now if you'll help
me get Miss-the patient to her bed
room, I'll get her comfortable for
the night"
Martha stiffened. "No!" she said
sharply. ''I can put myself to bed"
''But you are not to use your
foot"
"Tom can help me. I don't need
you to help me-" said Martha with
such unexpected savagery that Me-
gan felt the color pour into her face.
martha, for Heavens sake"
pleaded Tom in an agony of en-
barrassment and helpless anger.
ssYou are behaving like a shrew-"
ssWhy? Just because I said could
put myself to bed?" snapped the
woman, her hostile eyes upon Me-
gan. ST appreciate all she's done
for me, but she didn't have to both
er; the doctor would have got here
in plenty Of time to do what was
necessary. There was no call for
her to come pushing in here"
Tom said, ignoring her, 'I'n see
you home, Megan, of course"
ssNo," said Megan firmly. "You
are needed here. It's not far and
the dogs are waiting for me out
side. You stay here. Goodnight,
Miss-Martha, and ] hope you'll be
much better in the morning."
Martha did not answer. Tom
walked with Megan out of the warm,
lamplit kitchen and to the drive. He
walked beside her to the road, and
there she turned and said, ''This is
far enough. You. mustn't leave
them alone" s.
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