The slow hours passed, and still Dick and his mother slept. Now and then Mrs. Warner, as haggard as they, tiptoed to the door, bringing food or offering help; but John Lester would not leave the room. He ate mechanically, knowing that he must eat; but his eyes scarcely wandered from the dark head on the pillow, half hidden in its ice-pack. He prayed, desperately, muttering thanks for every moment of the blessed sleep that meant freedom from pain---that might bring healing in its wings. All the while he watched for any change--for any shade of colour to creep into the still, white face. But no change came; and the day dragged on to evening.
Mrs. Lester woke with a start, trembling. Her husband was beside her in a flash, holding her, whispering.
"No change--and he has slept all this time! Oh, thank God!" Her pale lips quivered--and then she clung to him, starting up. "John--you are sure it is really sleep?"
"It's really sleep," he told her. "Now you go--get a bath and some food. No, you must do it, Jean--remember, this isn't going to be a short business, and you will need all your strength. I'll call you if he moves." Mrs. Warner came in answer to his finger on the electric bell, and took her away.
It was an hour later that Dick's eyes opened, and he looked at his mother wearily.
"Mother," he said. The voice was weak, but his eyes were clear.
"Don't worry, old son." The doctor was beside him, raising his head ever so little.
Dick drank obediently and lay without speaking while they busied themselves over him. When he spoke again his voice was steady, but his lips were grey with pain.
"Not you!" said the doctor hastily. The boy's glance went past him, to his father.
"No, my son, I think not. But you're badly hurt. You have got to help us to get you better, Dick."
Dick pondered that, his fingers closed round his mother's. Then memory came back to him with a flash.
"Did we get in all right? Is Merle hurt?"
"No; only knocked up. You brought her in."
"I?" said Dick. There was a sorry little ghost of his old smile. "I didn't have any say in it. Conqueror bolted."
"Well, you went out for her, and you brought her back," the doctor said. "And now you mustn't talk any more. Go to sleep, if you can."