Tom Meredith came calling him. "Harkless? John Harkless?"
"Here I am, Tom."
"Come along, boy. What on earth are you doing out here all alone? I
thought you were with--I thought some people were with you. You're bored
to death, I know; but come along and be bored some more, because I
promised to bring you in for supper. Then we'll go home. They've saved a
place for you by Miss Hinsdale."
"Very well, lad," answered Harkless, and put his hand on the other's
shoulder. "Thank you."
The next day he could not leave his bed; his wounds were feverish and his
weakness had returned. Meredith was shaken with remorse because he had let
him wander around in the damp night air with no one to look after him.