"Now, doctor, what's to be done with him? You see, the poor young fellow is not only my friend, but he has saved my life, so I feel bound to look well after him; and this isn't quite the sort o' place to be ill in," he added, looking round the somewhat bare apartment, whose walls were adorned with carbines and cutlasses. "The wisest thing for him to do is to go into hospital, where he will receive the best of medical treatment and careful nursing." "Wouldn't the nursing of an old lady that loves him like a mother, and a comfortable cottage, do as well?" "No doubt it would," said the doctor, with a smile, "if he also had proper medical attendance--" "Just so. Well, that's all settled, then," interrupted the captain. "I'll have him removed at once, and you'll attend him, doctor--who better?--that is, if you can spare the time." The doctor was quite ready to spare the time, and the captain bustled off to tell his sister what was in store for her, and to order Rosebud to pack up and return to school without delay, so as to make room for the patient. Great was his astonishment that his Rosebud burst into tears on receiving the news. "My Bud, my darling, don't cry," he said, tenderly drawing the fair head to his rugged bosom. "I know it must be a great disappointment to have a week cut off your holidays, but I'll go down to Folkestone with you, an' take a lodging there, an you an' I will have a jolly time of it together--till I get another ship--" "Oh! father, it's not _that_!" exclaimed poor Rose almost indignantly; "it's--it's--" Not being able to explain exactly what it was that ailed her, she took refuge in another flood of tears. "Oh!" she thought to herself, "if I might only stay and nurse him!" but she blushed at the very thought, for she was well aware that she knew no more about scientific nursing than a tortoiseshell cat! Three months of the most tender and careful nursing by Miss Millet failed, however, to set Jeffrey Benson on his legs. He was very patient and courageous. Hope was strong, and he listened with approval and gratitude to his nurse's teachings. There came a day, however, which tried him. "You think me not much better, doctor?" he asked, somewhat anxiously. "Not much," returned the doctor, in a low, tender tone; "and I fear that you must make up your mind never again to be quite the same man you were." "Never again?" exclaimed the youth, in startled surprise. The doctor said nothing, but his look was--"never again." CHAPTER SIX. GOOD NEWS TO THE CAPTAIN--ALSO TO JEFF.