About noon
Zulma spent the next morning in the exclusive company of Cary . Batoche bustled in and out of the cabin , while little Blanche was kept busy at household work . The wounded man had had a good night , and thanks to the lotions and poultices of his old friend , felt much easier . About noon , the whole circle was most agreeably surprised by the arrival of Sieur Sarpy who drove up with his servant . He had come expressly to see Cary , and , while condoling with him on his accident , testified to his joy that he was on a fair way of recovery . He speedily commended the conduct of his daughter under the circumstances , and , in a long conversation with Batoche , took occasion to declare his cordial approval of the course which he had thought fit to pursue in the war . This commendation was very precious to the aged solitary , and he stated that it would serve as an encouragement to persevere , doing all in his power to keep his countrymen in the sacred cause of liberation .