“We’d like to see Mr. Stern,” said Daddy Brown, when they entered the office of the hospital.
“May I take my dog up and make him do tricks?” asked Bunny.
“He means to make the dog do tricks,” said Sue, as if afraid the nurse in the office might think Mr. Stern had to do tricks.
“Yes, since Mr. Stern is now in the sun parlor, and not in any of the wards or rooms, it will be all right to take your dog up,” said the nurse, with a smile. “I’m sure I hope you can cheer him,” she added in a low voice to Mr. Brown. “He doesn’t take any interest in life, and he must, if he is to get well.”
“I’ll see what we can do,” said Mr. Brown.
CHAPTER XVI
SOMETHING NEW
Through the hospital halls and corridors went Bunny Brown and his sister Sue and their trick dog, Mr. Brown coming along behind and directing them which way to go, as he had been in that part of the hospital before. In the sun parlor were a number of patients who were able to be out of bed, but who were not yet well enough to go to their homes or elsewhere.
“There he is, over in the corner by himself,” said Mr. Brown to his children, when he had looked around and had seen Mr. Stern. And by the very fact that the poor old and ragged man was thus sitting by himself, it showed how much he needed cheering.
The other patients were grouped together, listening to one who was telling them a story and some happenings of his life, it seemed.
“How are you to-day, Mr. Stern?” asked the children’s father.