It did not occur to either of this committee (and would there were more of these sort of people in the world!) that anyone might possibly prefer not being called upon for a subscription. They themselves regarded the opportunity for giving in the light of an actual privilege. Nan was thankful the money was so easily raised, for she had not a penny in the world to give save that two dollars, which she must reserve for that little wallet for Regie; but she was planning to present a warm comforter, which her own little hands had made, to the Spanish captain, and she thought she might favour the first mate with the rubber pencil-case which she had bought as a parting present for Regie.
When they reached Mr. Avery's they found Miss Vale ready to receive them. She was very much of an invalid, seldom able to leave her room, but in honour of their coming she had put on a pretty wrapper, and was seated in a large rocking-chair. She was anxious to meet these little friends of whom her brother had so often spoken, and looked forward to their coming as quite an event in her quiet life. The nurse led the children up the oaken stair, and Nan trod as noiselessly as possible herself, but was sure she had never heard Harry and Regie make such a noise before.
Miss Vale received them very cordially, and they felt at home with her at once. They talked about the wreck for some time, and then Miss Vale said, “Well, I believe you want some money from me for the hospital?”
“No,” Nan answered, with much seriousness, and as though she was breaking the saddest piece of news imaginable; “we are very sorry, but we don't need any more; we got enough money before we knew it. We couldn't help it, really.”
Nan saw that the nurse was laughing in a quiet way, but never dreamt that she was the cause of the merriment. Miss Vale herself looked amused, but managed to keep her face straight as she said, feigning much anxiety, “Dear me! what am I to do, then? I had made up my mind to give you a hundred dollars.” The finance committee looked puzzled enough, and as though they saw no way out of this difficulty.
“But look here,” Miss Vale continued, “I have an idea. The captain and his crew did not save anything from the wreck, did they?''
“Not a thing, and some of them haven't a penny in the world,” Harry answered.
“How many are there?'
“Seven,” answered the children, in one breath.
“Well then, wouldn't it be a good thing to divide the money among them, so that they will have something to begin life with again?”