Disclaimer: The story of Christy belongs to the
Marshall-LeSourd Family.  This fiction is written for my
own personal enjoyment. The story uses themes from the
book, CBS series and PAX movies.

Title: "Humble Pie" Chapter One

...........................................................

"Miss Alice, I don't think I like Doctor MacNeill very
much."

Alice Henderson raised her eyebrow at the young
teacher. "Thee are quick to judge a man, Miss Huddleston."

"I know he is a good doctor, and the people seem to respect
him, but he doesn't believe in God. He told me so himself."

Alice looked at Christy. "Dear child, thee stands at the
beginning of a new chapter in thy life. Thee cannot judge
those people who have gone before thee. Dr. MacNeill deals
with life and death on almost a daily basis.  My dear
child has thee faced tragedy?"

"My little sister died of scarlet fever."

"Thee has experienced the loss of a loved one." Christy
nodded.

Dr. MacNeill was born in Cutter Gap. He came back after
finishing his residency to practice here. He had offers to
practice in New York and in Philadelphia. He chose Cutter
Gap because his people had no doctor.  While suffering
from typhoid his wife delivered a premature child who
died a little later. He was too weak to survive. His wife
succumbed to the fever, too weak to fight her illness. Do
not presume to judge anyone, Miss Huddleston, until thee
has traveled in their shoes."

"Miss Alice, I am not judging people, I am just making
observations," Christy replied indignantly.

"Then observe this, my child. Cutter Gap is not Asheville,
North Carolina.  There are many days when children go
hungry and their parents forgo food so that their children
will have something to eat. Milk is a luxury for most.
Pride is a powerful emotion and fathers have a difficult
time when they cannot provide for their families. Thee
grew up in luxury, Miss Huddleston.  Even if thy father
is a lawyer of moderate means, thee grew up with clothes
on thy back, shoes on thy feet, and food on the table
every day. Thee had indoor plumbing, not outhouses. Thee
bathed in a tub, not a creek or a washtub with water
warmed over a fire or stove. Thee thinks thee has had a
rude awakening. Well dear child welcome to the real world
of Cutter Gap. Has thy religious fervor dampened? Many of
these folk, including Dr.  MacNeill have turned from God
because God has been too harsh and demanding. Do not judge
them, Miss Huddleston, until thee knows their stories."

Christy felt the sting of Miss Alice's verbal
reprimand. She nodded to Miss Alice and left the
room. It didn't put her in a very good mood, and it
made Alice Henderson herself angry, because she had hurt
Christy. Alice knew she would have to make amends. She
abhorred verbal abuse as much as she hated physical
violence.

Christy stomped off to her classroom. Unpacking the
box Mr. Pentland had delivered, her mood lightened a
little. She had asked her mother to send her some of her
favorite things from childhood. The items included a two
volume set of Grimm's fairy tales. Her father would read
to her at night before bedtime whenever he could. Both she
and her brother George loved the nighttime ritual. Perhaps
it was the way her father brayed, barked, hissed or crowed
when he read the story, but "The Bremen Town Musicians"
was one of her favorite tales. Her mother also sent
the hand carved wooden animals her father gave her for
a birthday gift one year. They were a donkey, a dog, a
cat and a rooster. When set just so on a level surface,
each animal balanced on top of the other, just as they
did in the story. Today she planned to read the story and
show the children how the carved animals would balance on
each other.

She had too much residual anger in her for such a delicate
task. She could not get the carvings to balance. After
the fifth try, the carvings toppled over completely and
the donkey fell on the floor. Aghast, Christy quickly
stooped to pick it up. One of the legs was broken. She
started to cry.

Neil walked into the classroom and saw her holding the
broken pieces.  "Miss Huddleston, are you hurt?"

"No."

"Why are you crying?"

"There's no reason."

"Tears fall for a reason. Why don't you tell me what
is wrong?"

"It doesn't matter, you cannot fix it." She tried to hide
the carving."

"I beg to differ with you. I am a doctor. I can fix most
things." He saw the carvings in the table. "The Bremen
Town Musicians?" he asked.

Christy nodded and began to sob in earnest. "I broke the
donkey," she cried.  Instinctively, Neil gathered her in
his arms while she cried. It was obvious that the carvings
had a great sentimental attachment for Christy.

"May I see it?" She opened her hands. "As I said, Lass,
I fix things.  Do you trust me?"

For the second time in her life, she looked up at Neil and
stared into his eyes. What had she been thinking when she
argued with Miss Alice earlier?  Her solemn eyes took on
a trusting look. Neil hadn't realized he was holding his
breath. She nodded mutely and then whispered "Yes."

He smiled. She had never seen him smile. Laughing at her
when she wrinkled her nose recalling her reaction to the
O'Teale cabin didn't count. Her knees felt weak. "Doctors
fix broken limbs. I can fix the donkey's leg." He took the
carving and wrapped it into a square piece of cloth. She
stared at the cloth. "It will take a few days to heal,
Miss Huddleston, I think you should read another story
today. "Beauty and the Beast" perhaps. She missed the
ironic look on his face as he smiled.

"I don't have a book of French fairy tales."

"It's actually English."

"But the writer was French."

"She lived in England."

"How did you know that?" she asked looking up. The
expression on her face was priceless.

"I consider myself a man with a well rounded education,"
he said enigmatically. "I will see you in a few days."

She walked with him to the doors. As he stepped through,
the children who were approaching the school began to
run. Neil practically skipped down the steps. The children
swarmed their beloved doctor and Charlie. Sam Houston
petted the horse. Neil handed him something. She realized
it was a carrot to feed Charlie. The horse nuzzled Sam
Houston. The boy's adoring eyes and face were a sight to
behold. How could she have been so ignorant? The man was
a puzzle. She vowed to find the solution. She was that
determined. As soon as she could, she would to apologize
to Miss Alice. She had been so very wrong about Dr. Neil
MacNeill.

End of Chapter One

Disclaimer: The story of Christy belongs to the
Marshall-LeSourd Family. This fiction is written for my
own personal enjoyment. The story uses themes from the
book, CBS series and PAX movies.

Title: "Humble Pie" Chapter Two

...............................................

In the evening after dinner, David had retired to his
bunkhouse. "Miss Alice, I have to apologize for today. I
was wrong. I should never have judged Dr. MacNeill on a
conversation, and an argument. You were absolutely correct
to chastise me."

"Christy," she replied, "it is I who must apologize to
thee. I forget that thee has not had enough experience
in life to make serious decisions based on logic. Thee
is affected by thy emotions, because that is the instinct
that thee has -- to react emotionally first, and rationally
second. I am not criticizing thee, my child. She smiled.

"I'll try very hard not to make sweeping judgements any
more," Christy said.

Alice smiled again. "Christy thee has a lot to give,
and thee has a lot to learn. Every day we have to live,
accept and change. We cannot become mired down, we have
to be willing to accept the challenge to bring good into
this world. I believe thee has a purpose here. She gave
Christy a hug.

"I'll say goodnight, Miss Alice. I still have a few papers
to mark."

"Don't stay up too late, child. What book is thee reading
now, may I ask?"

"The Moonstone."

Miss Alice smiled again. "Goodnight my child."

Christy hugged her and then bounded up the stairs. As she
took off her shawl, she realized that it carried Neil's
scent. She sat down on her bed and recalled what had
happened earlier. When she cried he gathered her in his
arms protectively, and she was not offended, because she
did not think his behavior was too forward. He was giving
her comfort. Then she remembered he called her Lass. She
smiled to herself, and decided that she needed to record
what happened this day in her journal.

She looked forward to his next visit. Christy wanted to
ask him about the possibility of teaching science lessons
to the children whenever his schedule permitted. She
hoped they could work something out. She wanted the
children to be exposed to as many learning experiences
as possible. Christy was trying to be creative, even
though parents were very serious and conservative toward
schooling. She wanted learning to be fun.

She sighed and folded the shawl carefully. Getting
undressed, she slipped on her warm flannel nightgown and
snuggled under the quilt. Soon she was fast asleep.

The next morning Christy and Ruby Mae walked up to the
school with Ruby Mae chattering the entire way. By the time
she reached the classroom, Christy's head was spinning. She
wanted to review her lesson plans for the day. She
asked Ruby Mae to please quiet down because she needed
to concentrate. Her appeal fell on deaf ears. Christy
had never met anyone before who could chatter so about
absolutely nothing. Some of the other students began to
arrive and Christy greeted them warmly.

"Teacher," said Wraight Holt, "Larmie won't be comin'
today. He scraped hisself on an old plow yesterday and
hurt his leg."

"Has he seen Dr. MacNeill?"

"Ma said ‘twasn't worth the fuss."

Three days later Neil appeared at the Mission. He
had been in Raven Gap tending to a patient who had
pneumonia. "Dr. MacNeill, I know you are tired, but I am
worried about Larmie Holt. Miss Alice has been away this
week. Larmie hasn't been in school for four days. Wraight
said he scraped his leg on an old plow."

"No doubt the plow is covered with rust. It is probably an
extremely nasty wound by now. Are you up to the challenge,
Lass? I'm sure it is not a pretty sight."

"Little Burl's injuries were not pleasant either Doctor. If
you need me, I will be glad to assist." Christy left a
note for David and Miss Alice.

Neil nodded, refilled his medical bag with supplies
from the Mission's store. "Theo will just slow us down,
Christy. Ride behind me." Neil vaulted on to Charlie and
helped Christy up behind him. It took them an hour to
reach the Holt's. Larmie was very, very sick.

Neil nodded to Rebecca and Ozias. "His wound is infected. I
have to clean it. He also has blood poisoning. See that red
line?" They nodded. Neil asked them to step outside. "I
won't lie to you. Larmie is extremely ill. He could
die. The best treatment would be for me to amputate the
leg at the knee joint."

"No." said Ozias. "That's no life for a boy. He's in
God's hands."

"I agree, it's no life for a boy, Ozias. Let's not give
up on Larmie yet. I can give him something to ease the
pain, and then I am going to try a very old treatment for
wounds such as Larmie's. If I don't do anything, he will
surely die." Ozias agreed to the treatment.

"Rebecca, I need burdock leaves. Does burdock grow about
here?"

"Surely does, Doc. The sheep and the dogs get burs in
their fleece and their fur all the time."

"I need you to pick me at least fifteen of the largest
leaves you can find quickly." He went back into the
cabin. Christy had started to boil his instruments. The
table was clean and smelled of the carbolic soap he carried
in his medicine bag. He smiled at her efforts. "Wraight
go into the barn and pick out the freshest horse manure
you can find. The best would still have steam rising from
it. Don't overlook Charlie either."

"Manure!" Ozias yelled.

"Ozias," Neil said sternly, "You must trust me on
this. Granny Barclay, and Granny Allen, God rest her
soul, would back me up on this." Christy raised her eye
skeptically at him. He continued, "Burdock is a blood
purifier. We must get the poison out of Larmie as quickly
as we can."

Neil carried Larmie to the table. The boy whimpered. He was
scared and feverish. Neil mixed him something for the pain
and made him drink it. The young boy wrinkled his nose in
disgust at the taste. Neil popped a peppermint drop into
his mouth. Larmie smiled at the treat. "I cannot give him
aspirin, because it thins the blood," Neil told Christy.

Since Rebecca and Becky were out searching for burdock
leaves, Christy held Larmie's hand as Neil cleaned his
wound. She was appalled that Rebecca had not attempted to
contact the Mission, since Dr. MacNeill was away. David
could have gone to El Pano to get the doctor. ‘Nothing to
fuss over', she thought recalling Wraight's words, ‘Larmie
could lose his leg!'

Wraight returned with a pail of steaming manure. "This
stuff sinks, Doc"

"I agree, but it could save your brother's life." Neil
laid a square of muslin over the top of the pail.

Rebecca returned with the leaves. "My skirts are full of
burs, just like the dog's fur. I swear burdock is a weed
that should be pulled out."

"Burdock may save your son's life, Rebecca. Don't weed
until he is past the danger. Christy, please gently rinse
the leaves off." She did as he instructed. Using cloth to
protect his hands, Neil took the manure and wrapped it in
layers of burdock leaves, making a poultice. He scrubbed
his hands meticulously with the carbolic soap. He proceeded
to clean Larmie's wound. Then he took the poultice and
laid it directly on the open wound, wrapping the leg with
bandages to keep the poultice in place. Larmie slept. Neil
repeated the process every few hours.

Two days later, Alice appeared. Christy and Neil were
exhausted. Every three to four hours Neil made a new
poultice and repeated the procedure around the clock. Alice
made them both leave to get some rest. She knew what to
do. Neil was extremely pleased. It looked as though Larmie
would make a complete recovery, although he would have
a nasty scar on his leg for the rest of his life. Neil
wanted to use poultices for the next two days.

"Christy, thee needs rest. Thee has classes to teach
tomorrow. Neil, thee must also rest. Thee can come back
tomorrow, but thee needs to sleep tonight."

Neil agreed with her. Christy was falling asleep against
his back as they traveled back to the Mission. Neil
insisted that she put her arms around him so that she
would not fall off Charlie. He was very pleased with how
she had helped him, and was happy to have her so close to
him right now.

When they returned to the Mission, David scowled when he
saw Neil carry her off the horse. "I can take her inside,"
said David.

"I've no doubt about it," replied Neil. "Since she is
already in my arms I don't think it wise to jostle her
unnecessarily. She's almost asleep from exhaustion. If
you'd get the door, I'd appreciate it very much." He
chuckled inwardly at David's _expression. Neil carried
Christy up the stairs as Ruby Mae watched from the
parlor. It was so romantic! "Ruby Mae," Neil called to her,
"come help Miss Huddleston undress." He laid Christy down
on her bed and gently kissed her forehead, before any one
else came in the room.

Ruby Mae assisted Christy into her nightgown. Christy was
asleep before her head hit the pillow.

Downstairs, Neil told David about Larmie's infection. David
shook his head in disbelief. "Who would have thought manure
would help stop an infection!"

Neil smiled. "Sometimes folk medicine has a rightful place
in the healing process. The key is in the knowing. Let
Christy rest as long as she can. She did a fine job,
Reverend." With that, Neil departed the Mission and went
back to his cabin for a long overdue rest.

End of Chapter Two

Author's Note: In 1910, my Uncle Marty was six
years old when he scraped his leg on a rusty piece
of farm equipment. He developed an infection and
blood poisoning. The doctor wanted to amputate, but my
grandfather refused to allow the procedure. One of the old
grannies used the treatment described in this story on my
uncle. When the doctor returned a few days later, he was
amazed that he had recovered. Uncle Marty lived to be 97
years old.


Title: "Humble Pie" Chapter Three

...............................................

Christy slept through the night. David would not
allow Ruby Mae to wake her for dinner. She had been
exhausted. ‘MacNeill had no right to tax her so. Christy
is too genteel for such experiences' he thought. Little did
he know how much Christy was bolstered by assisting Neil.

She woke up refreshed, ready for a new school day. She
ate eggs and had a bowl of oatmeal sweetened with Jeb
Spencer's honey. She added an extra portion of cream to
her coffee. Fortified, she was ready to face the day. She
needed some time to think about what she had experienced
at the Holt's.

She knew that Doctor MacNeill kept up of the latest
developments in medicine because he received several
medical publications every month. She had overheard
Mr. Pentland complaining about the heaviness of a
mail delivery to Doc because of all of "them danged"
journals. Why would he use such a horrible treatment on
Larmie's leg? She just didn't understand.

Miss Alice returned to the Mission the following day. "How
is Larmie?" Christy asked anxiously.

"He is doing well, Christy. There is no sign of blood
poisoning or infection. The wound is clean. Dr. MacNeill
will keep a close eye on him, disinfecting the leg and
changing the dressing. Having cleared up one infection,
he will leave nothing to chance."

Christy was relieved and happy to hear that Larmie would
live. Neil stopped by two days later after school. She
looked up from the desk and smiled. Neil thought, ‘I could
happily drown in those pools of blue.'

"Hello, Neil," she said. "Back from the Holt's?"

"Yes, Larmie's leg is healing nicely. He'll have a wicked
scar, though. That can't be helped."

"He has his leg, Neil. A scar is just a scar."

He laughed. "You are absolutely right, Lass." He looked
at her face and knew she was trying to formulate a
question. He pulled up a chair, turned it around, and sat
so that his arms rested on the back of it.

"I don't understand why you would use such a barbaric
treatment on Larmie," she said quickly.

"Barbaric?"

"Horse manure. Filthy, disgusting, smelly horse
manure." She wrinkled her nose.

Neil felt the hackles on his neck rise at her criticism. He
did not want this to escalate into an argument like the
one that occurred when she questioned the death of Opal's
daughter. He took a deep breath. "Christy, would you have
the time for me to explain the process." She nodded, intent
on his reply.

"Christy, burdock leaf is one of the best herbal blood
purifiers in nature's pharmacy. When applied as a poultice
the leaves are highly resolvent for inflamed surfaces. The
heat from the fresh manure and the drawing properties of
the burdock leaves helped to draw out the infection and
the blood poisoning. As I explained to you earlier, the
grannies of the Cove were herbalists. Some of what they
preached was good, other information, like the liver-growed
ailment, was utter nonsense, and the McHone baby paid the
price. In this case, the burdock leaves were the solution,
and Larmie lived. This is what it is like to practice
medicine here, Christy. Science, botany and superstition,
old wives tales. I do my best. I am but one man, trying
to do a monumental job. Enough said on that subject. I am
not complaining." He smiled. "Now," he continued, "how
are you feeling? Are you tired? Do you feel weak? Were
you able to get through the day without difficulty?"

Christy tried to take in all of what Neil had said to
her. She was slow to answer his final questions. She
realized that he was waiting patiently, with a bemused
_expression on his face. "I'm fine, I really am. I slept
for a long time last night." He scrutinized her face
searching for signs of fatigue. He found none. "Neil you
practice medicine under the most frightful conditions. How
do you do it?"

He smiled. "Sometimes I wonder myself. These are my
people, Christy. Larmie was lucky. He could have developed
tetanus from his wound. We caught it in time, Christy. It
was a very good thing that you told me he had missed
school. Larmie will live."

She smiled. "It's God's plan for Larmie."

"If you say so, Lass."

She was disturbed by his unbelief, but decided to remain
silent. She did not want discord to enter the room and
come between them.

"I've brought you something, Christy."

"Something for me?"

"Yes."

"Neil, you did not have to do anything."

"I always keep my promises, Lass."

Now she was thoroughly confused. She had once again jumped
to a wrong conclusion thinking that Neil had brought
her a gift because she had helped him with Larmie. She
could not look him in the eyes. He would know that she
had drawn the wrong conclusion. Neil realized immediately
what she had done. Her face was so transparent. She could
not hide a thing from him. He could also tell she was
very uncomfortable now, and he did not want to lose the
camaraderie that was developing between them.

"I told you doctors fix things. I have brought you the
donkey. It is all healed." He held out the square of muslin
and carefully unfolded it.

"Oh my, Neil." She carefully lifted the wooden animal. "It
is perfect, Neil. How did you manage to fix it? I cannot
see where the break was on the leg."

Neil smiled, pleased with himself. He had done a good job,
even if he did say so himself. She impulsively leaned over
and kissed him on the cheek. "My father gave me this as
a present." She pulled out the other three animals. They
were carefully wrapped in packing paper. She unwrapped
them. Together they carefully placed one animal on top of
the other. They perfectly balanced, just like they were
in the story.

"Christy, if you would like, the next time I come to give
a science lesson, I'll tell the story to the children."

"That would be wonderful, Neil. I am sure they would love
to hear you read it to them."

He smiled at her with his mysterious smile. He then helped
her wrap up the animals. She put them safely in a box in
her desk.

"Well, Lass, I am afraid I must be on my way. I would
rather spend more time talking with you, but, alas, I
have things that must be attended to today." She stood
and walked with him to the door.

"Thank you again, Neil. I was so upset when I broke the
donkey."

" ‘Twas my pleasure, Christy."

She waved goodbye as he rode away on Charlie. She started
to walk down the stairs, but decided instead to retrieve
the wooden animals and take them to the Mission. They
would be safer there, away from curious eyes and prying
hands who longed to touch Teacher's fine things.

Two weeks later Neil came to give a science lesson. As
usual, the time flew by. The children were mesmerized,
as was Christy. Neil had a knack for presentation. ‘ How
does he do it?' she wondered to herself. She was caught up
in her reverie. There was silence in the schoolroom. Neil
and the children were watching her.

"Dr. MacNeill has a special treat for all of you. He is
going to read you a story by the Brothers Grimm." She
handed him the volume.

"Actually Miss Huddleston, I prefer to tell the tale. Boys
and girls, storytelling is the way our ancestors brought
their stories from the Highlands in Scotland. Many could
neither read nor write. But they could tell stories! It
is a very good thing that the Brothers Grimm were able
to record many of the stories of their people. It gives
future generations the chance to become acquainted with
the tales. The story I am going to tell you is called ‘The
Bremen Town Musicians'. Once upon a time............"

Christy watched in awe. He was absolutely amazing. The
children were totally enthralled. She was watching the
delighted looks on their faces. They were literally
hanging on every word. ‘Our children will be the same
way' she thought. ‘I wish my father could be here to
see Neil carrying on his tradition.' She gasped at her
thoughts. Fortunately it was at a part in the story where
a gasp from the audience was appropriate. Neil glanced
at her, never breaking the cadence of the story. He could
not fathom the look on her face. ‘Why the tinge of blush
on her cheeks?' he wondered. The children laughed with
every bray, bark, meow and cock-a-doodle-doo. ‘What had
they unwittingly unleashed?' she wondered. She could
hear Creed and Zach serenading their classmates tomorrow
during recess.

Neil finished the story to thunderous applause. Yes, Uncle
Bogg would hear about this one! "Miss Huddleston has a
surprise for you," said Neil.

Christy carefully unwrapped each animal. Her hands were
shaking. She could not rid her mind of the picture of
Neil surrounded by curly headed children hanging on to his
every word as he told the story to their children. No! His
children, not hers. ‘Oh no,' her mind said, ‘ they were
yours as well.' She looked helplessly at Neil and shook
her head. He got up to help her. Now her hands were really
started to shake. As soon as his hands touched hers, they
became steady. Together they balanced one wooden figure
on top of the other, until all four stood bravely on top
of her desk. The children applauded wildly. It had been
one of the best days of the school term, thanks to Neil.

End of Chapter Three



Title: "Humble Pie" Chapter Four (Conclusion)

....................................................................

Sure enough, the very next day Creed, Sam Houston, Little
Burl and Zach Holt decided that they would be the Bremen
Town musicians. Zach was chosen to be the mule because he
was the most stubborn of the four. He placed himself on his
hands and knees in front of the schoolroom window. Creed
climbed on his back. Sam Houston climbed on top of him and
Little Burl climbed on top of the three. They teetered and
tottered, swaying, trying to get Christy's attention. They
each brayed, barked, hissed and crowed. Christy looked up
just as they began to topple over. She screamed and ran
out of the schoolroom. Burl had hit his head. Sam Houston
looked as though his arm was broken. Creed's face was
scraped, he had landed face down in the dirt. Zach was
just plain mortified.

"John, run for Dr. MacNeill," she cried. "Rob, get Miss
Alice. Ruby Mae, bring some blankets and bandages from the
Mission. Zady, you run along and help her." Looking at the
boys she simply said, " See what tomfoolery does! Little
Burl, please do not move. You could have a concussion. Sam
Houston, I know that you are in pain, but I cannot do
anything for you. We have to wait for Miss Alice or
Dr. MacNeill. Becky, please bring me a pail of water and
some soap and a clean cloth from the schoolroom. I want to
wash the dirt from Creed's face. Zach are you in any pain?"

"No ma'am. My back is a little bit sore from carrying
them."

Miss Alice came running. "What happened here?"

"Apparently they were trying to be the Bremen Town
musicians, but they lost their balance and fell over. Burl
hit his head and Sam Houston may have broken his arm."

Ruby Mae and Zady returned with blankets and
bandages. Becky brought the pail of water. Christy
carefully washed Creed's face, cleaning the scrapes as
gently as she could. Alice folded a blanket under Little
Burl's head. He could wiggle his toes and fingers. There
were no contusions on his head. "Burl, thee may have a
fine pump knot on the top of thy head." She wet a cloth
and placed it on the lump. She held one finger in front of
his face and asked him if he saw more than one finger. He
nodded ‘no'.

Soon Neil came galloping by, with John Spencer behind
him. They dismounted, and Neil hurried to check on the
boys. Sam Houston had indeed broken his arm. Neil carried
him to the Mission, after he determined that Little Burl
did not have a concussion.

The afternoon classes were a complete disaster. No one
could concentrate. Christy ended up dismissing her students
early, sending everyone home with no homework. She walked
back to the Mission with Rob Allen and Ruby Mae. Little
Burl was resting, even Creed was a bit subdued. Neil
decided he would take Sam Houston home on Charlie.

"How are my brothers, Doc?" asked Rob.

"Rob, they are fine. Burl has a fine lump on his
head. Creed's scrapes will heal quickly. If Burl
tells you that he sees double, you must let me know at
immediately." Rob nodded. He picked up Burl and the three
Allen boys headed home.

Neil noticed that Christy was very quiet. "Is everything
all right, Miss Huddleston?"

She shook her head, and tears welled up in her eyes,
threatening to spill over her soft sable lashes.

"What is the matter, Lass?" He put his arm around her.

"It is my fault. I wasn't paying attention until it was
too late."

"Christy," he said gently, "it is not your fault. Haven't
you learned yet that when these four rascals get an idea
in their heads, no matter how outrageous it is, nothing
can stop them from implementing their plan. Try stopping
the rain from falling, or, better yet, stop waves from
breaking on the shore. They are incorrigible, and we would
not want them to be any other way, would we?"

She looked up at him and smiled tremulously. He rewarded
her with a smile and a hearty laugh. Once again her knees
felt weak. What was it about this man that made her feel
this way? Sam Houston got up and walked with Neil. "Take
care of yourself, Sam Houston."

"Bye, Teacher," he said.

"Good-bye Alice, Miss Huddleston," Neil said. "I'll be
in Low Gap tomorrow. No more surprises at school, if you
don't mind."

"I'll try to remember that, Doctor," Christy said. She
walked with Miss Alice to the porch. Neil carefully set
Sam Houston on Charlie. Together they rode off to the
Holcombe's.

"What shall we make for dinner?" asked Miss Alice.

"Anything is fine with me," replied Christy. "Just so
long as it is not humble pie. "I've eaten enough of that
this week."

Alice caught Christy's drift and laughed out loud. "Miss
Huddleston, thee are a joy to have here." She put her arm
around the young teacher and gave her a hug as they walked
to the kitchen.

The End