“Oh, I wouldn’t have liked that at all!” said Polly, with a shiver.
“I’m afraid I wouldn’t either,” was the laughing answer. “Still, it’s a lovely, useful, beautiful life, little girl. And the next—the very next—best place and best work seemed to me the hospital, with the white gown and cap I can put off when I please; with sickness and sorrow and suffering to soothe and help; with little children holding out their arms to me, and old people calling to me in their pain, and dying eyes turning to me for hope and help. So I am nurse in a hospital, and out of it, too, when there is need. And it’s not for stubborn pride, as grandma says, and no doubt thinks; but because I believe it to be my real work and my real place. Now get your dollar, and we’ll be off to Jonah’s junk shop to look for Aladdin’s lamp.”
And Polly danced off for her flower-wreathed hat, and the two were soon on their way down the narrow streets to the dull, dingy little shop near the water, where several customers were already looking over the curiously assorted stock, that on weekdays was spread far out on the sidewalk to attract passers-by. Among these was a big, burly grey-haired man, whose bronzed face and easy-fitting clothes proclaimed the sailor.
“Why, Captain Carleton!” greeted Miss Stella, in some surprise.
“God bless my heart and soul!” was the hearty response, and the Captain held out both hands to the speaker. “This is sailor’s luck, indeed! From what star of hope did you drop, Miss Stella?”
“Oh, I drop here for a holiday every summer!” she answered gaily. “I am glad to see you looking so well and strong again, Captain.”
“Thanks to you, my dear lady! Under the great Master of life and death, thanks to you! I was about as far on the rocks as an old craft could be without going to pieces entirely. How that soft little hand of yours steered me into safe water I’ll never forget, dear lady,—never forget. And I was a tough patient, too; wasn’t I?”
“Well, you did say things sometimes that were not—prayers,” was the laughing answer.
And, chatting on pleasantly of the Captain’s last winter in the hospital, they glanced over old Jonah’s stock until something of interest caught the sailor’s eye.
“By George! How in thunder did this get here?”