“Um-hm. Somethin’ to do with the household expenses, hey?”
“No. It is—is a matter of—well, of charity. It may amount to several hundred dollars.”
“Yes, yes. I see. Charity, hey? Church?”
“No. One of the maids, Annie, has trouble at home, and I wanted to help her.”
The captain nodded once more.
“Annie,” he repeated, “that’s the rosy-faced one? The Irish one?”
“Yes. Her father was seriously injured the other day and cannot work. His hip is broken, and the doctor’s bill will be large. They are very poor, and I thought perhaps—” She hesitated, faltered, and then said haughtily: “Father was very sympathetic and liked to have me do such things.”
“Sho! sho! Sartin! Course he did. I like it, too. I’m glad you came to me just as you did, Caroline. How much do you want to start with?”
“I don’t know, exactly. I thought I might ask our own doctor to attend to the case, and might send them some delicacies and food.”
“Good idea! Go right ahead, Caroline.”