`` nothing , ma'am , the merest bruise , '' he assured mrs. endicott for the ninth time , when she urged him to sit down in the shade and drink some water with the tiniest bit of brandy in it , for they still had some , thank goodness ... ... anne , who had maneuvered herself close to him , passing him items to be loaded , leaned in with a tea chest and let her hand brush his-deliberately , he was sure .