Part 22 (1/2)
”It wouldn't make any difference in my care of him,” Mrs. Bean emphatically replied. ”I should do just as the Scripture tells me, 'If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.' That is what I should do.”
”Well, I guess you'll feel like heaping on the coals, all right, when you learn the name of your stranger. You had better get a shovelful ready, for I am going to tell you.”
Mrs. Bean was busy setting the table for she knew how the men would appreciate a cup of hot tea and some of her fresh homemade bread after their long cold drive. She paused with a plate in her hand and looked keenly at Jasper as he stood with his back to the stove. When he had mentioned evil angels she thought that he was joking. But now something told her that he was in earnest. Suddenly there flashed into her mind an idea which made her heart thump.
”There is only one person in the world who is my enemy, as far as I know,” she remarked.
”The man who is stealing your logs, eh?” Jasper queried.
”Yes. But surely he's not in there!”
”Get your coals ready, Mrs. Bean,” Jasper bantered. ”You can use them right away if you want to.”
Mrs. Bean paid no attention to these words. Her worn face grew a shade paler and her hand shook as she laid the plate upon the table. Just then the doctor entered the kitchen.
”We must have a trained nurse at once,” he began. ”That's a very sick man in there, Mrs. Bean, and he must have the greatest of care.”
”I shall do the best I can, sir,” was the quiet reply. ”No one shall ever say of me that I didn't do my duty. I have tried to do it in the past and shall try to do it still.”
”I know you will do what you can, Mrs. Bean,” and the doctor's voice was more gentle than usual, ”but you must have a.s.sistance. No one could expect you to look after the house and take care of such a sick man as that. We must send to the city for a nurse at once.”
”What about Miss Sinclair?” Jasper asked. ”She should be told of her father's illness. I was planning to phone to her when we get hack to Creekdale. She could arrange for a nurse to come by train, and I could meet her at the station. This is Christmas Day and I'm afraid it will be difficult to get a nurse to come on go short a notice. She would have to come on the suburban this evening, though, as that will be the only train she would be able to get.”
”Do the best you can,” the doctor replied. ”I shall stay here to-day.
It would not do for me to leave now until some one comes to help Mrs.
Bean.”
The sun was just rising above the far-off horizon as Jasper rode into Creekdale. Not a breath of wind was astir, and the only signs of life were the long wreathes of smoke circling up from numerous chimneys.
The village nestled on the side of a hill and thus met the sun's early smile while the surrounding valleys were still draped in shadows. To Jasper it seemed as if fairyland had burst suddenly upon his view after his drive through the sombre forest. The snow sparkled like countless diamonds and the white-robed trees stood bathed in glistening glory.
It was Nature's silent symphony in honour of the birthday of the great Prince of Peace.
The telephone was at the store and it did not take Jasper long to arouse Andy Forbes and acquaint him with the object of his early visit.
The storekeeper was greatly interested in the news of Peter Sinclair's illness. He knew that in a short time various rumours would be circulating throughout the parish. But he would have exact information and would be able to impress all by his hints of superior and first-hand knowledge.
It took Andy some time to get ”Central” in the city, and longer still to make connection with the Sinclair home, the number of which he had found in the Telephone Directory. But at length his efforts were rewarded and he handed the receiver to Jasper.
”Guess it's her, all right,” was his comment. ”Her voice seems mighty shaky as if she's scared most out of her wits.”
How far away seemed Lois' voice and how anxious the tone as before Jasper had even time to explain she asked about her father. Then, as briefly as possible, Jasper told what had happened to him, his illness, and where he was.
”We need a nurse at once,” he said, ”and if you can get one, send her out on the suburban. I will meet her at the station.”
”She will be there,” was the emphatic reply. ”I know of one who will go without fail. I thank you very much, Mr. Randall, for all your kindness to my father.”
Leaving the store Jasper made straight for the Haven where he received a royal welcome. Early though it was they were all astir for a wonderful Christmas tree had been prepared the day before, and there it stood loaded with presents.
”We had it for Betty,” Mrs. Peterson explained, though it was quite evident that she and the captain as well as David were as much pleased as the girl.
Besides the presents from one another there was something for each one from Lois. As Jasper watched them unwrap their gifts and listened to Betty's exclamations of delight, a slight feeling of jealousy stole into his heart. He was the only one there beyond the orbit of Lois'