"I am sure he will do anything for you that he can. Yes," continued
Webster, after a moment's thought, "I think that life would suit you
best. You are naturally gentle and kind, and to help poor, sick people
would be a congenial task to you. But nursing, like other things, has
to be taught. I will talk to Brentwood about it."
"Yes, they receive what they call probationers at some hospitals, and
perhaps Doctor Brentwood would kindly use his influence to get me
admitted at one of these."
"I will see about it, and I think it is the most likely thing to suit
you. But before you do anything, or think of anything, you must have a
complete change of air. You must go to the seaside for awhile."
"I can not do this, Mr. Webster."
"Forgive me saying so, but you must. Nothing will make you strong but
that. How could you nurse anyone when you still want nursing yourself?
You must go to Hastings, or one of these places."
"I--I have no money to do so--it is impossible."
"Have I not asked you to regard me as a sincere friend? Do you think
the trifle it would cost is not most heartily at your service? When you
become a very swell nurse, you know," added Webster, smiling and trying
to speak lightly, "you must repay me."
"If--if I only could," said May, with emotion.
"You can, and will. Now that is all settled, and tell me where would
you like to go--Hastings?"
"But, Mr. Webster--"
"What sort of person has waited on you here? A nice woman?"
"A very nice woman, Nurse Margaret, Sister Margaret, they call her. She
has been so good to me."
"Then you shall go to Hastings with Sister Margaret to take care of
you. And I shall expect to see quite a rosy face when I go down to see
you. And now I am not going to stay any longer to-day and tire you. We
have settled that you are to become a nurse, but first you must get
quite well. I will see Brentwood and make all arrangements. For the
present, good-by."
He held out his hand, which May took tremulously. She dare not ask him
any questions, nor even inquire after his aunts. She knew if she did
she would break down, and he knew this also. They both ignored the
past, or at least did not speak of it.
And when she next saw Doctor Brentwood after this interview with Ralph
Webster, he told her that everything was settled. She was to go to
Hastings in three days, and Sister Margaret, the hospital nurse, was to
accompany her.
"And when you return I will see about receiving you here as a
probationer," said the doctor, "as Webster tells me you wish to become
a nurse. Would you rather stay here, or go to another hospital?"
"I should rather stay here if I may," answered May, gratefully.
"I think I can manage it. Yes, the sea-cure is the very thing for you,
and I expect you will come back quite well."
"But--but, Doctor Brentwood, about the expense? I can not--"
The doctor moved his well-shaped hand.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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