“We've got more to thank your lordship for than common help,” she said. “God Almighty knows where we'd all ha' been but for what you've done. Those poor souls you've nursed and fed——”
“I've not done it,” he broke in promptly. “You're mistaken; I could not have done it. How could I?”
“Well,” exclaimed the matron frankly, “we WAS wondering where things came from.”
“You might well wonder. Have any of you seen Lady Anstruthers' sister, Miss Vanderpoel, ride through the village? She used sometimes to ride this way. If you saw her you will remember it.'
“The 'Merican young lady!” in ejaculatory delight. “My word, yes! A fine young woman with black hair? That rich, they say, as millions won't cover it.”
“They won't,” grimly. “Lord Dunholm and Lady Alanby of Dole kindly sent cheques to help us, but the American young lady was first on the field. She sent both doctors and nurses, and has supplied us with food and medicine every day. As you say, Mrs. Brown, God Almighty knows what would have become of us, but for what she has done.”
Mrs. Brown had listened with rather open mouth. She caught her breath heartily, as a sort of approving exclamation.
“God bless her!” she broke out. “Girls isn't generally like that. Their heads is too full of finery. God bless her, 'Merican or no 'Merican! That's what I say.”
Mount Dunstan's red-brown eyes looked as if she had pleased him.
“That's what I say, too,” he answered. “God bless her!”