Free The Street of the City by Grace Livingston Hill Page A

just about as far as she could go and not slip over the border entirely. And yet I believe that with reasonable care she can snap out of this trouble entirely and recover her normal health. But there has got to be somebody watching for at least a few days, or maybe even weeks, and so I am hoping they will let the nurse stay here awhile—just as an accommodation to her, you know, that is, ostensibly—and keep a watch out. You see, it happens most fortunately that Nurse Branner has just come off a year’s case. And the people with whom she formerly boarded have suddenly gone to California. Of course we would take her into our home if necessary, but my wife’s sister and her daughter are with us this winter, and it makes it a little crowded to take in another at present, so she has really been expecting to look for a new residence. But she is enough of a Christian and enthusiastic enough as a nurse to get interested here and stay awhile, as long as she is needed. So the matter of money does not need to come into the picture at all. So then, could I depend on you, Val, to see what you can do with the family to see this thing straight, at least until the mother is out of danger? I know you haven’t much time, but are you so situated that you could run over here early in the morning and then phone me how things are, so that I won’t have to leave home until after my office hours are over. They ought to have a telephone here, but of course that can’t be done tonight, and I ought to be in a position to get word from the nurse early. Can you do that?”
    “I can,” said Willoughby with a pleasant ring to his voice. “I’ll be glad to help in any way I can.”
    “Well, thank you. I’ll be depending on you,” and with a smile of reassurance at Frannie the doctor strode out to his car and was soon driving away.
    But as Frannie and Val lingered for a moment watching him, another car pulled up in front of the house and stopped. It was a big, old-fashioned car with plenty of room, a shining exterior, and an old lady sitting on the backseat alone.
    The chauffeur helped the old lady out, and she started up the walk.
    “Why, Val Willoughby!” she said. “I wondered if you would happen to turn up around here again. That’s nice. You can introduce me to my new neighbors, can’t you?”
    The young man came quickly to her side and offered his arm.
    “I surely can, Lady Winthrop. I’ll be delighted. This is Frances Fernley. I think they call her Frannie. She is the young lady, I believe, whom you have admired so much, skating down the river.”
    Frannie looked up, surprised, and flashed a shy smile at the old lady.
    “And you are the wonderful neighbor that came to our assistance when my mother was taken sick, aren’t you?” said Frannie. “I’ve heard all about you, and I’m so glad to be able to thank you. I know my mother will want to thank you herself as soon as she is able to see anybody. Won’t you come in? We’re not really in order yet. Our things have just come. I don’t know what we would have done without those blankets you sent, so few of our own came in the first load. And the hot water bags! And the food! I was so relieved when I heard you had sent my mother that wonderful chicken soup.”
    The old lady held the girl’s soft hand in a warm clasp.
    “You dear child!” she said. “I was so glad to know of something I could do. And your dear little sister! Is she all right? I was so afraid she would take cold going out across that awful ice without a coat.”
    Then Bonnie appeared smiling.
    “I’m all right,” she said shyly. “That soup and chicken you sent over were just grand!”
    “Were they, my dear?” said the old lady with a pleased smile. “Well, I’ve brought you some things for supper. One couldn’t be expected to get meals ready when there is sickness going on, and moving, too. Here, Joseph, are you bringing the basket?”
    “Yes, madam, I’m right here!” said the old serving man