"But I am sure she will be there. Miss Pumfret is the sort of woman I
should think would never break her word."
Nor was she disappointed in her estimate; Jane Pumfret waited--even had a
cab ready to drive with Dorothy to the hospital, there to see the new
patient, Captain Nick Mayberry.
"Perhaps I had better go first and prepare him," suggested Dorothy as they
reached the door of the private room and saw the one spotless bed--the
gift of the young ladies' auxiliary.
"No need, dear," objected Miss Pumfret. "Now that I've made up my mind to
it I actually can't wait."
The next moment Dorothy drew back to allow brother and sister their own
happy moment--Jane Pumfret had the old white-haired man in her arms, was
embracing him like a child, and the nurse smiled in complete satisfaction
as she, too, stepped aside with Dorothy.
"That is all he wants," she said, "He has worried constantly, and I was so
afraid she would not come--I know Miss Pumfret."
Just then the telephone rang. The nurse picked up the receiver. She
listened to the call from the office. Then she answered:
"I'm awfully sorry, but I cannot see how we can take her. We haven't a
single public bed unoccupied."
She waited a moment, then resumed: "Poor thing. I hate to have you turn
her away, but what can we do?"
"A bed," thought Dorothy. "Why, of course, Miss Pumfret will provide a
private one for her brother, and perhaps--"
But she did not wait to think further.
Pages:
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190