I told you about the Knowltop people on the east of us, who took in
forty-seven youngsters the night of the fire, and how their entire house
party turned themselves into emergency nursemaids? We relieved them of
thirty-six the next day, but they still have eleven. Did I ever call Mr.
Knowltop a crusty old curmudgeon? I take it back. I beg his pardon.
He's a sweet lamb. Now, in the time of our need, what do you think that
blessed man has done? He has fitted up an empty tenant house on the
estate for our babies, has himself engaged an English trained baby nurse
to take charge, and furnishes them with the superior milk from his own
model dairy. He says he has been wondering for years what to do with
that milk. He can't afford to sell it, because he loses four cents on
every quart!
The twelve older girls from dormitory A I am putting into the farmer's
new cottage. The poor Turnfelts, who had occupied it just two days,
are being shoved on into the village. But they wouldn't be any good
in looking after the children, and I need their room. Three or four of
these girls have been returned from foster homes as intractable, and
they require pretty efficient supervision. So what do you think I've
done? Telegraphed to Helen Brooks to chuck the publishers and take
charge of my girls instead. You know she will be wonderful with
them. She accepted provisionally. Poor Helen has had enough of this
irrevocable contract business; she wants everything in life to be on
trial!
For the older boys something particularly nice has happened; we have
received a gift of gratitude from J. F. Bretland. He went down to thank
the doctor for Allegra. They had a long talk about the needs of the
institution, and J. F. B. came back and gave me a check for $3000 to
build the Indian camps on a substantial scale. He and Percy and the
village architect have drawn up plans, and in two weeks, we hope, the
tribes will move into winter quarters.
What does it matter if my one hundred and seven children have been
burned out, since they live in such a kind-hearted world as this?
Friday.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account