noon
This was passed beneath the mule 's belly , and drawn so that while he could stand on three legs if he wished , he could also rest the whole weight of his body upon it . After Harry Mule was thus made as comfortable as possible , a skilful veterinary surgeon set his broken leg , and bound it so firmly with splints that it could not possibly move . He also sewed up the cuts on various parts of the animal 's body , and said that with good care he thought the patient might recover , though his leg would probably always be stiff . These operations occupied the attention of Mr. Jones , the Halfords , and the Sterling family , including Derrick , until noon , when it was time for Mrs. Halford and Miss Nellie to take the train for Philadelphia . Before leaving , Mrs. Halford had an interview with Bill Tooley , who was now able to hobble about with the aid of a crutch . She said that if he would , under Derrick 's direction , take care of Harry Mule , and see that all his wants were promptly supplied until he got well , she would pay him the same wages that he could earn by working in the breaker . Of course Bill gratefully accepted this offer ; and either because he had a feeling of sympathy for an animal that was suffering in much the same way that he was , or because his own trials and the kindness shown him had really softened his nature , he proved a capital and most attentive nurse .