“And who would care for the poor men then?” cried Nan, with real distress. “Nobody knows just how to do for 'em but you, Sister Julia.”
“You need have no fears on the score of Mr. and Mrs. Fairfax,” said Mr. Vale, decidedly; “I know them well enough to assure you that they will thoroughly approve of and admire your course, and Nan is quite right. You know that no one here could care for them properly but just yourself.”
“But how about the money?” urged Regie, who was anxious to know what they were going to do about it.
“Well, I have thought of two or three schemes,” Mr. Vale replied. “You know we could write to Washington, and doubtless get an appropriation from some fund or other, but I would take a sort of pride in not bothering the Government at all about it; at any rate, not until we find it impossible to raise the sum ourselves.”
“Say! Mr. Vale,” said Rex, familiarly, “I'll tell you the very thing—take up a collection in your church next Sunday.”
“Well, I hadn't thought of that, Rex,” laughed Mr. Vale; “but, do you know, some of the good people there grumble already, thinking we have too many collections as it is. No, it seems to me it would be best to raise the money here if we could.”
“But you can't,” said Harry, emphatically, “there isn't any money here. I guess father has more than anyone in Moorlow, and yet I know he couldn't give much.”
“Your father, Harry, has given his share, in the work he has done,” Mr. Vale answered. “What I have to propose is this: suppose you and Reginald and Nan start out, say two days before Thanksgiving—that will be a week from next Tuesday—and take the village cart and Pet, and drive over to the Rumson Road. You know there are some well-to-do people living over there, who do not go back to town much before Christmas. Now they have every one heard by this time of the wreck of the Christina, and of the injuries her crew sustained, and I believe that every one of them would be glad to contribute, if you three little folks were to call upon them and tell them you were trying to raise two hundred dollars, which, you see, would cover all expenses. You know, at Thanksgiving time, people who have a great deal to be thankful for themselves often feel like helping other people who have not fared so well. It seems to me the plan is worth trying.”
The children's faces plainly showed their delight in it.
“But how will we know where to go?” asked Nan.