"Now, this is the opportunity I offer you, besides the chance to give dollars to the Red Cross. We want men and women who will work without salary and without hope of seeing their names or pictures in the papers. Come on and sign up for the work. But don't crowd."
He sat down suddenly amid the half nervous titter of a part of his audience. They did not crowd. The workers circulating through the hall gathered some harvest of money and several promises of future contributions. When the meeting was adjourned Belinda left Aunt Roberta to have a word with the lean little hospital-worn man.
"I wish to serve," she said.
"Yes—Miss——?" He scrutinized her with growing approval.
"Melnotte. I am my own mistress. I hold a nurse's diploma." She told him the name of the hospital. "I can afford to pay my own expenses."
"And you wish to serve—where?"
"In France. I speak the language."
"When can you be ready, Mademoiselle?"
"To-morrow."
"Good! The Belle o' Perth sails the day after. There are others of our forces going by her. It can be arranged. You know that the crossing will be dangerous?"