Mr.Porson would never have spoken thus had not the news been serious indeed.
When he paused Ned gave a little gasp and exclaimed, "My father!" "Yes, Ned, I am grieved to say that it is your brave father who has suffered from the accident.

It seems that as he was walking down the High Street one of Ramsay's heavy wagons came along.

A little girl ran across the street ahead, but stumbled and fell close to the horses.

Your father, forgetful of the fact of his wooden leg, rushed over to lift her; but the suddenness of the movement, he being a heavy man, snapped the wooden leg in sunder, and he fell headlong in the street.

He was within reach of the child, and he caught her by the clothes and jerked her aside; but before he could, in his crippled condition, regain his feet, the wheel was upon him, and he has suffered very serious injuries." "He is not dead, sir ?" Ned gasped, while his brother began to cry piteously.
"No, Ned, he is not dead," Mr.Porson said; "but I fear, my dear boy, that it would be cruel kindness did I not tell you to prepare yourself for the worst.