Free Nurse Hilary by Peggy Gaddis Page B

before.
    “ I should think you might, perhaps in a woman ’ s exchange, or some place like that. You couldn ’ t compete with the machine-made things the big department stores sell, of course. But that ’ s really a lovely thing, ” Hilary assured her quite sincerely.
    They were in a corner of the lounge, for the solarium was being tidied for the day, and for the moment there was no one else in hearing distance.
    Mrs. Barton smoothed the delicate bit of handiwork with a caressing hand and looked up at Hilary, her blue eyes touched with a wistful hope.
    “ If I could just make a bit of money, to help out on my bill here, ” she murmured almost as though she spoke her thoughts aloud. “ I know Jill and Juddy want me to have the best and they ’ d beggar themselves to get it for me. But I know they can ’ t really afford to keep me here. Oh, if only I could help just a little. ”
    “ They want you to be happy, Mrs. Barton, and not to worry, and that ’ s what you must do, ” Hilary assured her firmly.
    “ But you do think I might be able to sell some of my work? I ’ ve always loved crocheting and I ’ ve always given it away. But if I could sell some ... ” Her voice was scarcely more than a breath. Before Hilary could answer Mr. Hodding came across the big room, smiling warmly at Mrs. Barton, whose color rose a little as she gave him back his smile.
    “ Good morning, Miss Lily-Mae, ” he greeted her. “ I have an article here I think you ’ d enjoy. I thought perhaps I might read it aloud to you while you do your crocheting. ”
    “ That would be lovely, Mr. Hodding, ” said Mrs. Barton happily. “ You read aloud so beautifully. ”
    Mr. Hodding preened himself a little at her praise, and Hilary took herself off, back to other duties, smiling at the way these two old people, each of them shy and lonely, had found each other.
    As she came into the lobby, she saw Mr. Ramsey just entering and on a sudden im p u l se, she crossed to him, accepting his smiling, friendly greeting and saying, “ May I talk to you, Mr. Ramsey? I ’ ve been wanting to, but this is the first chance — you ’ re always so busy. ”
    “ Of course, of course, Miss Westbrook. ” Drew was being the very genial, charming man as he opened his office door and ushered her inside. “ I ’ m never too busy to talk to members of the staff. I hope nothing is wrong. ”
    “ I ’ m afraid it is, Mr. Ramsey. ”
    “ Oh, come now, Miss Westbrook, this isn ’ t a prelude to offering your resignation? We ’ re delighted with you, all the guests are fond of you, you fit perfectly into our little world here. ”
    “ That ’ s very kind of you, Mr. Ramsey, ” Hilary answered. “ No, I have no intention of resigning. I ’ ve become quite interested in gerontology, and Dr. Marsden is a fascinating instructor in the subject. ”
    “ We ’ re very proud of Dr. Marsden at the T. & C., Miss Westbrook. ” Drew beamed at her. “ I hardly see how we ’ d function without him. I sincerely hope we won ’ t have to. ”
    “ I ’ m sure you do, Mr. Ramsey. ”
    “ And so—what ’ s your problem, Miss Westbrook? ” Drew glanced at the sheaf of mail which his secretary had placed on his desk, as an indication that a mere nurse must not take up too much of his time.
    “ It ’ s about those empty wards, Mr. Ramsey— ” she began.
    Instantly the pleasant smile left Drew ’ s face and his eyes chilled.
    “ So Marsden has sent you to try to persuade me to change my mind— ” he began sharply.
    Color bloomed in Hilary ’ s face.
    “ Dr. Marsden knows nothing about my trying to see you, ” she shot back at him. “ I came to you on my own initiative, because it seems to me almost criminal that those wards should be standing empty when there are so many people desperately in need of hospital care— ”
    “ Anyone in need of hospital care who can afford to pay our rates for beds in the ward are perfectly welcome to enter— ” he