They hadn't meant to take back the compliment, good simple souls, and didn't know they had done it.
After a consultation it was decided that Mrs.Enderby should drive back with Brown, she being entitled to the distinction because she had invented the plan.

Everything now being satisfactorily arranged and settled, the ladies rose, relieved and happy, and brushed down their gowns, and three of them started homeward; Mrs.Enderby set her foot on the buggy-step and was about to climb in, when Brown found a remnant of his voice and gasped out-- "Please Mrs.Enderby, call them back--I am very weak; I can't walk, I can't, indeed." "Why, dear Mr.Brown! You do look pale; I am ashamed of myself that I didn't notice it sooner.

Come back-all of you! Mr.Brown is not well.
Is there anything I can do for you, Mr.Brown ?--I'm real sorry.

Are you in pain ?" "No, madam, only weak; I am not sick, but only just weak--lately; not long, but just lately." The others came back, and poured out their sympathies and commiserations, and were full of self-reproaches for not having noticed how pale he was.
And they at once struck out a new plan, and soon agreed that it was by far the best of all.

They would all go to Nancy Taylor's house and see to Brown's needs first.