But when she heard what had happened, all other impulses gave way to those which belonged to a head nurse and a mistress of emergencies.

She set down her umbrella; shouted an order to Letty to put a kettle of water on the fire; brought from her own room some flannel and two bottles of embrocation; and then stopping a moment to reflect, ordered that the office should be prepared for Mr Croft, for it would be a shame to make a gentleman, with a sprained ankle, clamber up stairs.
The office was a small building in the wide front yard, not very far from the house, and opposite to the arbor, which has been before mentioned.

It was one story high, and contained one large and comfortable room.

Such buildings are quite common on Virginian farms, and although called offices are seldom used in an official way, being generally appropriated to the bachelors of the family or their gentleman visitors.

This one was occupied by Junius Keswick, when he was at home, and a good many of his belongings were now in it; but as it was at present unoccupied, nothing could be more proper than that Mr Croft should have it..