Bobbie waited with the boy in the dark tunnel.
The candle was almost out.
Finally the boy woke up.
"Oh! I'm glad you woke up," said Bobbie.
"Please don't faint again!
What's your name?"
"Jim," he said.
"My name's Bobbie," she said.
"But you're a girl, aren't you?" he asked.
"Yes, my real name is Roberta.
I wish I were a boy, though," said Bobbie.
"My brother and sister went to get help."
"Why didn't you go with them?" Jim asked.
"Someone had to stay with you," Bobbie said.
"Well, Bobbie, you're very brave!" said Jim.
"The candle is out," said Bobbie.
"Are you afraid of the dark, Bobbie?" asked Jim.
"No, not very afraid," said Bobbie. "But . . ."
"Let's hold hands," said Jim kindly.
He put his big hand over her small hand.
They sat and waited.
Meanwhile Peter and Phyllis ran to a farm to get help.
When the two children arrived with some farmers, they found Bobbie and Jim asleep.
The farmers carried Jim on a plank of wood.
"Where does he live?" asked a farmer.
"In Northumberland," answered Bobbie.
"He told me while we were waiting.
Bring him to our house first.
It's not far along the road.
I'm sure Mother will say it's all right."
Mother did say it was all right, although she was surprised.
"I'm sorry to be so much trouble,"
Jim said to Mother as the men carried him in.
His face was still white with pain.
"Don't worry, dear, the doctor will come soon."
Mother also sent a message to Jim's school to tell them what had happened.
"My grandfather lives near here," said Jim.
"I'll write and tell him," said Mother.
The next day someone knocked at the front door.
"That'll be the doctor again," said Mother.
But it wasn't the doctor.
The children recognized the visitor's voice.
But who was it?
Then Mother called out, "Jim's grandfather has come.
He wants to see you all."
They followed Mother into the front room, and there was . . . the old gentleman!
"Oh, it's you!" cried Bobbie.
The children were excited to see him.
"But you're not going to take Jim away, are you?
I was hoping he could stay for a while," Peter said.
The old gentleman smiled. "No," he said.
"Your mother is very kind.
Jim will stay here and she'll look after him."
"What about Mother's writing?"
Peter said, before anyone could stop him.
The old gentleman smiled kindly at Mother.
"She can stop writing, and there will be enough food," he said.
"Bobbie," said the old man, "can you show me to the door?"
The old gentleman and Bobbie walked outside.
"I received your letter, Bobbie, but it wasn't necessary.
I had already read the newspaper.
I tried to help him.
I haven't done much, but I have hope."
"Oh!" said Bobbie, crying a little.
"But keep your secret a little longer," he said.
"You don't think Father did it, do you?" said Bobbie.
"I'm sure he didn't," said the old gentleman.