Chapter 1 of Cherry Ames Island Nurse. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Jared from Canada. Cherry Ames Island Nurse by Helen Wells. A call from Dr. Fortune. Cherry stopped in front of Hilton Hospital and glanced at her wristwatch. She was not due to be on duty for 20 minutes. She stood for a moment enjoying the sunshine and the fresh, sweet air of spring. What a glorious morning. In the sky overhead a small plane was circling about. Shading her eyes with her hand, Cherry watched it descend slowly in widening spirals and banked to come in for a landing at the new private airfield outside Hilton. I wouldn't mind being up in the plane myself this morning, Cherry thought dreamingly. Nurse Ames, you have a very bad case of spring fever. She heard a voice boom. Startled, she turned her head and saw Dr. Watson, a wide grin on his face, beside her. Check that fever at the door, he told her, laughing. It's highly contagious. Good morning, doctor. You sneaked up where I would have heard you. She accused him as he started up the walk. Her eyes followed his clumsy, bear-like figure to the entrance. She had a warm spot in her heart for Dr. Ray Watson, who was in charge of men's orthopedic ward. He had been patient, understanding, and was always cheerful when she was a nurse on his ward. Cherry was now one of the emergency nurses and was often the nurse on one of his cases. Dr. Watson handled accident cases involving orthopedics such as fractures and other conditions which caused interference with the use of bones and joints. Cherry forgot the sunny sky in the plane and walked through the door into the antiseptic smell of the hospital. The quick change from the air outside made her nose prickle as always, but the odor quickly became familiar and she felt completely at home. Good morning, Miss Ames. Good morning, Mrs. Peters. Cherry returned the greeting from the head nurse on orthopedic ward. Whenever you've had enough of emergency, Mrs. Peters said with a smile, Remember, I can always use an extra nurse. I'll say we can," declared nurse Ruth Dale as she came in the door and fell in step with Cherry. We're always short of nurses, you know that. Hospitals are always short of nurses, agreed Cherry. They went on down the corridor toward the section where the nurses had their lockers. It's a complaint as common as the common cold, or haven't you heard? Cherry asked airily. Ruth made a face at her, taking the teasing in good nature. She and Cherry had been on duty in the same ward and had been good friends for a long time. Ruth was frank to say that Cherry was shining proof that beauty and brains went together. Cherry's dark brown, almost black eyes, black curly hair, and red cheeks, which had won her the name of Cherry, always called forth admiring remarks. Her patients appreciated her cheerful presence. The doctors and head nurses recognized Cherry's abilities and skills as a nurse and her deep interest in nursing. She would use her head when clear thinking was needed, and she was as good as a detective about getting at the facts of anything. On her part, Cherry never seemed to be aware that she was special, and that is what endeared her to her fellow nurses. She and Ruth reached the lockers and put their handbags and the light sweaters they had worn around their shoulders in their lockers.  I guess we all do. Why, Ruth? What a sweet thing to say, exclaimed Cherry. But why be so sad? She grinned at her friend. I may not be on the same ward, but I'm right in the same hospital, so we just might arrange to lunch together sometime. What a creature, cried Ruth, taking my kind words and turning them into a feeble joke. She peered over her shoulder to see if her petticoat showed below her uniform. But Cherry, honestly, I envy you sometimes. No, I don't think envy is the right word. Admire is better. You are always, it seems, on interesting cases. That last case you had Tom, Dick, the young man with amnesia. Oh, you mean Richard Albee, Cherry said. Yes, I'd never been on a psychiatric case before, and working with Dr. Hope was a wonderful education for me in a new field. Before that, the mind always seemed to me to be rather separate thing. But now I realized just how interrelated mind and body are, how the mind can actually affect physical well-being. Cherry hung her head in mock chagrin. Sorry, Ruth, she apologized. My mind must be back in nurses' training at Spencer School. I really didn't intend to give an early morning lecture. Now, I know what your next job is going to be, Ruth announced solemnly. You're going to be a lecturer on psychosomatic diseases or in a simple plain English, those diseases which can be traced to emotional disturbances. She smoothed down her uniform. Well, I'm off to the bones and joints department.  Cherry turned down the corridor leading to emergency. Here, interns were on duty round the clock. In addition, there were a head nurse and assistant nurses and doctors quickly available on call. Medical help had to be on hand day and night to take care of any casualty that came in. An ambulance with a driver was always ready to answer an emergency call. In emergency, the staff was on the move all the time, seldom more than an hour or two past without a call. It sometimes seemed to Cherry that for as small a city as Hilton, Illinois, there was an unusual number of people who were just plain accident prone. Walking along the corridor, all the familiar sounds of the hospital greeted Cherry's ears. The whisper like tread of feet, glass gently clinking, nurses speaking low or crisp, a child crying or laughing, the complaining voice of a patient. Over the intercom came repeated calls for one of the doctors to call the chief resident physician's office. Before Cherry reached the door of the emergency room, she heard the motor of the ambulance start up outside and saw one of the young doctors come hurrying down the hall, clutching his bag in one hand and buttoning his white jacket with the other.  Where are you off to? Cherry asked. That new private airfield, replied the doctor and dashed out to the ambulance which took off at once. Trouble at an airfield usually meant only one thing, a crash of some sort, with people broken or burned or both. Cherry recalled the plane she had seen in the air only minutes ago. How sad if something had happened to it or anyone in it. Emergency at Hilton Hospital consisted of a large room and three cubicles for patients. It was near the wide doors for receiving stretcher cases. A head nurse and assistant nurses were on duty there at all times. Cherry was one of the nurses on duty from 8am to 4pm. Cherry was just entering emergency when she heard her name called. Dr. Phipps, one of the assistant resident physicians, came striding through the emergency entrance, carrying a sturdy-legged boy across his outstretched arms. The boy's face was streaked with blood and he was unconscious. Two boys in t-shirts and blue jeans, their faces almost as white as the patients where it was not covered in blood, were shot upon the doctor's heels. Is Chuck hurt bad, Doc? Chuck isn't going to die, is he, Doc? The boys kept repeating like a refrain. Of course not, of course not, Dr. Phipps told them. With a nod, he directed Cherry to one of the cubicles and she helped him lay the youngster carefully on the narrow bed. Chuck's two gene-clad friends would have barged on in, but Cherry captured them and got them seated, assuring them in a clear, confident voice that their friend was going to be alright. Dr. Phipps will take good care of Chuck, she said. The doctor let you come in with him because he knew you wouldn't make a fuss. Now, you just wait right here quietly. They obeyed her, sitting straight in their chairs and staring out of big, round eyes rather like two owls. Cherry returned to the cubicle. While she cleaned the blood from the boy's face, the doctor continued to examine him. Then she fixed cold packs which Dr. Phipps applied to the bruised and swollen but unbroken nose. Upon regaining consciousness, Chuck was frightened. Cherry soothed him and in a few minutes he began to touch the pack on his nose softly with his finger.  Guess I broke it, he said tentatively. No, lucky you, said Dr. Phipps, but a fine way to start spring training for the baseball season is all I can say. My brother Charlie had the same thing happen to him when he was a kid, Cherry said, stood right in the way of a bat and got clipped. That's right, how did you know? Asked Chuck. But it wasn't Mickey's fault, you see, Johnny was pitching, Mickey was batting, and I was catching. And you stood closer to the batter than the catcher ought to, interrupted the doctor.  You don't have to tell me, I was passing in my car and I saw the whole thing. How did you think you got here so quickly? He asked with a mock gruffness. Does my mother know? Chuck asked. Dr. Phipps nodded.  Within a few minutes Chuck's mother arrived. His nose is swollen, but don't be alarmed if it bleeds a bit more. Dr. Phipps told her, take him home and keep an ice bag on it. Thank you, doctor, she said. And on my way home with Chuck, I will drop these two members of Hilton's all-star ball team at school. She added, nodding at the two boys, who, relieved to find their friend's injury was not serious, went whooping out to the car. Cherry saw Chuck and his mother out into the hall. Don't be surprised, she warned, if Chuck has a real beaut of a black eye, she went back inside. We don't have enough business, the head nurse commented dryly to Cherry as Dr. Phipps was preparing to leave. So some of the doctors have to find patients and bring them in on their way to the hospital. Hospital rats exclaimed to Dr. Phipps inelegantly. I did it solely in the interest of Little League Baseball. The telephone rang and the head nurse picked up the receiver. She listened a moment, then handed the phone to Cherry. It's for you, Dr. Joseph Fortune calling. Very important. Dr. Fortune, Dr. Joe? To all in Hilton Hospital in the city of Hilton as well? What in the world could he want? Cherry wondered as she took the receiver. That you, Cherry? Well, thank heaven, Dr. Fortune exclaimed as soon as Cherry spoke. Now, I want you to get over to the private wing and get everything ready in Suite 6 for an emergency patient. But Dr. Joe, she protested. I'm on duty here in emergency. I know, I'll arrange it with the head nurse, said Dr. Fortune. I'm calling from the airfield, the private one outside town. Matt had an ulcer attack, a bad one. I've done what I could, but we're bringing him to Hilton immediately. Now, here's what I want you to do. And Dr. Joe gave her a list of instructions. Then he asked her to speak with the head nurse. Of course, of course, it's all right, Dr. Joe. She was saying as she waved Cherry out the door. Cherry walked briskly through the hospital to the private wing. It was a special wing of the hospital where patients who could well afford to pay for comfort, service, and beautiful surroundings might spend the time during their illnesses. Dr. Fortune's patient must be wealthy, Cherry thought. It made her happy to think that Dr. Joe, whom she had known all her life, would for once be well-paid. So often he was not very well-paid, and more often than that, he gave his service freely to those who were sick and unable to pay him at all. Inside Suite 6, Cherry paused a moment to look around. She was not familiar with the rooms. They were tastefully decorated and furnished. There was nothing to remind the patient that he was in hospital. In fact, he might well imagine himself in a fine hotel. Cherry caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror in the sitting room of the suite. Her practical, antiseptic uniform certainly struck an odd note. End of Chapter 1 The Three from the Plane Within a very short time, Cherry had the bedroom of the suite ready for the patient, and everything prepared according to Dr. Joe's instructions. But just to be sure, she stood for a moment in the middle of the room to check again. Near the head of the bed were the two intravenous stands, IV stands, the nurses called them, which a hospital attendant had brought from the supply room where such equipment was kept for use as required. From one stand hung the pined container of normal saline for the administration of saline, an injection into the veins of a salty solution which would have to be given to the patient. The other stand would hold the bottle of blood plasma for the transfusion after the patient's blood had been typed. The man had a sudden hemorrhage and lost a lot of blood. Dr. Fortune had told Cherry over the phone, he'll need a transfusion. She also had ready oxygen tank and mask, thermometer, cotton swabs, adhesive tape, bottles of antiseptic, an anesthetic, sterile gauze pads, needles, and rubber tubing used in giving intravenous treatment, hypodermic needles, and other medical supplies. Everything had been done that could be done beforehand. The bedroom had become a little hospital within a hospital. Cherry gave a nod of satisfaction and looked at her watch. The ambulance should be back from the airfield at any minute. She had already alerted the laboratory to have someone ready to make a blood test. Now she heard a knock and a voice call. Miss Ames and Millie Reynolds, one of the laboratory technicians came bustling in. They have all arrived. I saw them bring in the patient so I didn't have to wait for your call. She announced Millie was a blonde blue-eyed girl who looked as if she could not possibly have a brain in her head. But she was one of the best laboratory technicians at Hilton. Cherry had noticed the accent on all, and she smiled. How many exactly Millie are there with the patient? She asked. Make it sound as if he were royalty accompanied by his entourage. Well, it's practically that, Millie said. I heard this big, handsome, hunk of man say something about his uncle, sir, something or other. That's the patient. Imagine a patient with a title. Isn't it exciting? Millie did not have time to tell about the others with the sick man, for there were sounds of movement in the hall, and a hospital attendant rolled in a still form. He was followed by Dr. Fortune and two young men, one of them in a pilot's uniform, his visor hat in his hand. Dr. Joe gave Cherry one of his warm smiles, then glanced at Millie. Dr. Miss Reynolds is ready to check the blood at once. Cherry explained. Very good. Turning to the two young men, Dr. Joe told them, wait here in the sitting room. The patient was taken into the bedroom, and the door closed. Things must be done quickly. There was no time to waste. A man's life was threatened. In the next instant, the three of them, Dr. Joe, Millie and Cherry, became an efficient team. The man was unconscious. His flesh was gray and clammy from the loss of blood and shock. His pulse was rapid. His mask was placed over his face, and the flow of oxygen regulated. The rubber bands and tubing for the injection of saline were adjusted. Cherry wiped a spot over the veins of one arm with a swab of cotton soaked in antiseptic. The doctor injected a small amount of local anesthetic to numb the arm slightly. Then definitely pushed the hollow needle into a vein in the bend of the patient's elbow, and the slow drip of salty liquid into the vein began.  Off she went with it to the laboratory, where she would test it immediately for blood type. The transfusion could not be given until this was known. Aided by Cherry, Dr. Joe proceeded with the examination of his patient. At the airfield, and during the ride in the ambulance, the nephew and the pilot had told the doctor what had happened, and between listening through his stethoscope, checking a pulse and breathing, gently feeling the patient's stomach and abdomen, Dr. Joe gave Cherry bits and pieces of information. Fellow collapsed in a plane not far from here. Names Barclay, Sir Ian Barclay, haven't seen him in ten years. Homes, iron mines, up in Canada. Peptic ulcer case. Nephew said Dr. up there had been treating him for some time. Lloyd Barclay, that's the nephew's name, said his uncle was getting along pretty well. Then this sudden hemorrhage. Uncle went to make a phone call to check on how things were going in his mines. Found there was trouble. Sudden anxiety probably set off this attack. The door opened. Dr. Joe's and Cherry's heads turned as one to Millie, with a bottle from the hospital's blood bank in her hands. Group O, Reese's positive, she told them. And the patient says the same, perfect match. She walked briskly over with it, then as briskly out again. Group O was a common blood type and could be safely given to anyone belonging to the other main groups. A, B or AB. Just as long as the Reese's factor was the same. That Sir Ian Barclay's belong to this common type was certainly a bit of good luck right at the start. Cherry thought that she swabbed his arm with a bit of antiseptic soak to cotton in preparation for the transfusion. Cherry and Dr. Joe could only wait now while the science of medicine, which had taken man many centuries to develop, took over. Sir Ian's body must be supplied with oxygen, so he breathed it into his lungs through the snout-like device invented for the purpose. The salt and liquid his body had lost were being replaced by the saline, and life-giving plasma flowed into his veins from the bottle hanging from the stand. Sir Ian Barclay was breathing easily now. Some of the grayness had given way to the faint violet of the returning blood. The flesh was warmer and drier, familiar as she was with the care and healing of the sick. Cherry never ceased to wonder at the miracle of medicine, and one was taking place before her eyes right now. It was true that there were failures, and there was so very much yet unknown about health and sickness. Yet what science and the doctor could do was no less a miracle. Perhaps that was why it was the most important thing in the world to her to be a nurse, Cherry thought. She was a part of the wonder of healing. That was the way Dr. Joe had always felt too.  He was a modern-day hero, nevertheless. She saw Dr. Joe put his hand on Sir Ian's forehead. Then he listened again to the patient's heartbeat. Looks as if we'll bring him through. Dr. Joe said, straightening up. He pulled up a chair beside the bed and nodded to one near Cherry. Might as well sit and stand at this point, he said. They sat in silence. Cherry knew that Dr. Joe would add nothing to what he had told her before. That much information he had given her because she needed to be oriented to the case. Sir Ian Barclay at the moment was not a personality to the doctor, but a sick human being who must be made well again. As Cherry sat beside Sir Ian, the lean, powerful figure with its strong bony face and gray-streaked black hair began to peak her curiosity. Here is a man, she thought, who looks as if he had a great strength of character. He is a wealthy mine owner, a Canadian with a title. He is on a tour of mines in the United States. He calls home, hears bad news, collapses shortly afterward. Sudden hemorrhage of a peptic ulcer, Dr. Joe had said. People with ulcers had sudden flare-ups that Cherry knew. Bad news could cause an attack. What had been the nature of the bad news that had caused this wealthy man with a sturdy look of an eagle to collapse, she wondered. A mumbling came suddenly from the bed. Both Cherry and Dr. Joe jumped. Sir Ian Barclay had opened his gray eyes and was staring at them. Dr. Joe removed the oxygen mask. When the man tried to raise his head, the doctor bent over and put a gentle hand on his shoulder. Don't worry, Sir Ian, you're coming along all right, he said. Just take it easy now. Sir Ian lay back quietly. His eyes searched the doctor's face for a moment. Then he spoke slowly, but Cherry caught the odd lilt to his voice and a Scottish twist to his words. I'd recognize you anywhere. Sir Ian said, you've not changed in ten years. Dr. Joe's a fortune. He made an attempt at a smile. The way he spoke immediately enchanted Cherry. Later, but that was after she had come to know the sound so well, she always thought of the lilt of a Scottish tongue as a kind of spoken music. Not doctor, you can't keep me here. Sir Ian was saying wordly, is most important, I must go home. Now, now, Dr. Joe soothed him. You are not to worry about anything. Nothing is important at all but getting well. It took a bit before Dr. Joe's confident manner calmed him. He kept insisting that Dr. Joe tell him exactly when he could go home. Which, of course, the doctor could not tell, because he could not know. Finally, Sir Ian dozed off murmuring. I shouldn't have left you to manage alone. Too much for him. I must get back and straighten things out. End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3 of Cherry Ames Island Nurse This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Elizabeth Holland. Cherry Ames Island Nurse by Helen Wells Chapter 3 Sir Ian Barkley After that first day, Sir Ian's When Can I Go Home? was to ring daily in Cherry's ears. At first it was pleading and sounded strange coming from a man six feet tall, a man who had ruled thirty years over the island of Balfour, off the coast of Newfoundland, and the famous Balfour iron mines, as though he were a king. But the plea in his voice was because he was physically weak. The moment he began to get better, his usual commanding tone returned, and he demanded to know rather than asked. And he tried to bully Dr. Joe into releasing him, and failing that, he tried playing on Cherry's sympathies. She always answered primely, Dr. Joe will tell you when he thinks you're well enough to make the trip to Balfour Island. Sir Ian would first glare at her, then smile ruefully, remind me of my Meg, warm-hearted, strong-headed, and high-spirited, he would say. And he would talk to Cherry about his daughter Meg, who was twenty and the apple of his eye. She was abroad visiting relatives in Scotland and England, and he forbid anyone to write Meg about his illness and ruin her holiday. He had set his mind on getting well. Take it easy, Dr. Joe kept cautioning him.  Forget about business. Then with a grin he would add, enjoy ill health and get a good rest for three or four weeks. Sir Ian had followed the doctor's orders to the letter. In return for his obedience, however, he expected to see such great improvement every twenty-four hours that he would be told he could return to Balfour Island. Lloyd Barkley and the pilot, Jerry Ives, were as much in the darkest cherry in Dr. Joe as to exactly why Sir Ian was insistent upon returning home. They all knew by now that Sir Ian's news over the telephone concerned closing a mine. But that's no reason for Uncle Ian to go home, Lloyd said. Number two mine, which has not been worked for years, was reopened shortly before we left. When Uncle Ian called our mine office, he learned that the walls of one tunnel were too weak for the miner's safety. Mining had been stopped until the walls could be reinforced. A thing like that can happen when an unworked mine is reopened. Of course, Uncle Ian was terribly upset to have it happen so soon after starting out on a long tour, but he's building a mountain out of a molehill if he thinks he must go back to see two things. People who worry sometimes build mountains out of molehills, Dr. Joe pointed out. Your uncle told me that he had not been away from Balfour for any length of time in many years. Obviously, he feels whether it is true or not that without him there to run the mines, they won't run properly. But he seemed to be fine when we started on the tour, Lloyd said. He even juggled Jack Cameron about coming back to find himself out of a job. Mr. Cameron has been superintendent of Balfour Mines for over thirty years. Uncle Ian left Jack Cameron in charge while he was away. I remember Sir Ian joking with Mr. Cameron just before we took off in the plane and greed Jerry Ives. Sir Ian was in good spirits. But then, later on, Lloyd said thoughtfully, Uncle Ian seemed, well, detached, I suppose you'd call it. It was as though something worried him and he was trying not to let it bother him. For instance, he would sit lost in thought. I would have to repeat a question a couple of times before he heard me. Then he would rouse himself, so to speak, and answer. Once in a while we might even talk for a time. But it was not until we made our first stop at some iron mines in the upper peninsula of Michigan that he became enthusiastic about anything. There he saw some methods being used in the mines which he wanted to try out in our Balfour Mines. He was as excited as a boy over the idea. But later in the plane, Jerry added, Sir Ian began to brood again. It was not until he had seen the mines here in Illinois that he was in fine fettle. You remember, Lloyd, your uncle remarked what a lot he got out of seeing how efficiently mines could be operated. Then, of course, he made that telephone call to Balfour Island. When the three of us got into the plane and went off, Lloyd said, I noticed Uncle was, as Jerry called it, brooding again. When he told me the bad news, I tried to cheer him up, but with no success. In a little while he was in pain, and, well, we all know the rest. They were all for Jerry, Dr. Joe, Lloyd Barkley, and Jerry Ives in the sitting room of the suite. It was almost a week since Sir Ian had been admitted to Hilton Hospital. But it was the first time they had talked informally. Lloyd had visited his uncle as often as he was allowed. The pilot had come at least once a day, but they had both been under too much strain to want to chat. Today Sir Ian was definitely showing improvement, and they all felt somewhat relaxed. Perhaps it would be fairer to say that Jerry Ives was trying to give the appearance of being at ease. I wonder what he's so nervous about, Cherry thought, as she watched him shifting from side to side with his fingers on the chair arm. Probably has a date with one of the nurses and is trying to think of a graceful exit line. He had a pleasant engaging manner that was very attractive and went well with his red hair and imputed grin. He had met some of the girls and dated a couple for dinner in the movies. He had taken one date for a ride in the private plane and given her the thrill of her life. They thought the Canadian pilot was wonderful. Midge, Dr. Joe's daughter who was a junior volunteer nurse's aide at Hilton Hospital, came in as usual after school one afternoon.  Midge told the Ames family with whom she was having dinner that same night. And he said, Hello! In that marvelous English accent, Charlie, Cherry's twin brother gave a most un-gentlemanly snort.  You surprised me, Midge. You really do. I thought you were beginning to grow up and be sensible. Charlie and Midge would have wound up in a good-natured but noisy discussion of Jerry Ives if Mrs. Ames had not switched the conversation to Lloyd Barkley. Cherry, in talking about Lloyd Barkley, had to admit that the nurses did not think he was wonderful. I should say not, Midge piped up. He never has more than two words than one. Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. The nurses think he's just a snob. Even Millie Reynolds, who when she first saw him thought he was a real dreamboat, decided he's too standoffish for her. Midge shrugged and added, of course he does have the most beautiful manners. Cherry had thought Lloyd was a little snobbish too at the beginning, but having seen him every day, she knew better. She was a very innocent, but very sensitive and shy. The nurses ought to see him now, Cherry thought, as she, Dr. Joe, Jerry Ives, and Lloyd sat talking in Surrey and sitting room. They would get a very different impression. His manner was alive and his voice friendly as he talked with Dr. Joe about the hazards and diseases of minors. My uncle will never forget how you saved Mr. Cameron's life and don't think I will forget it either, declared Dr. Joe. Turning to Cherry, he explained in a hurt tone, cost me several sleepless nights and almost cost me my fishing trip. Then he went on to relate how he was on his way to meet some friends in Canada to go fishing. His plane had run into fog, got off course, and had to come down at St. John's, Newfoundland. At the same time, a little male plane from Balfour Island landed with Sir Ian and a man dying from his pneumonia. Always carry my case with me, said the doctor, and it came in handy that night, managed to keep the old man, he must have been very near 80, alive until we could get him to the hospital. The fog was so thick, it was a wonder that the ambulance could get from the hospital and back again. That old man you saved, Lloyd said, died years later, lived to the ripe old age of 95. He was John Cameron's father. The Camerons have been superintendents of our minds ever since there were any Barclays on the island. Uncle Ian always remembered how you pulled old John through and stayed with him until he was out of danger, and he has kept up with your work, Dr. Fortune. Every time your name is mentioned in the news, maybe you've read a paper before some medical society, Uncle Ian always takes note of it. As a matter of fact, just before he collapsed, he asked Jerry the name of the nearest town. Jerry told him Hilton, and that it had a private landing field. Then Uncle told Jerry to land and need to call Dr. Joseph Fortune. Jerry Ives had begun to fidget with his hat, then asked abruptly, Doctor, now frankly, it's going to be some time before Sir Ian will be out of here, isn't it? Seeing the puzzled look on Dr. Joe's face, he hastened to explain, well, you see, there's no need for me to wait around to fly him back. Then he told Mr. Broderick, and he said for me to get back to Montreal right away. Jerry saw Lloyd Barkley's face flush with quick anger. Jerry, I told you I would call Mr. Broderick at the end of the week, Lloyd said acidly. By then I hoped we'd have a clear idea of just what my uncle's condition was. Besides, I just might want to continue the tour of minds alone. So by what right I don't know what your uncle may is, Mr. James Broderick's my boss. He gives the order so far as I'm concerned, I've said shrugging. If Mr. Broderick wants you back in Montreal, then you'd better go, said Lloyd. As Ives rose, he glanced rather sheepishly at Jerry and Dr. Joe. I don't want you to feel I'm running out on Sir Ian, he apologized, flashing them a boyish grin. But as I told Mr. Broderick when I called him, there doesn't seem to be much point in my hanging around here, his voice trailed off. I'm sure there's none, Dr. Fortune said, getting up. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go have a look at my patient. He nodded to the pilot and left. I have a bag to pack, Jerry said, so I'd better get going. He started across the room, then stopped and turned around. Say goodbye to Sir Ian for me. Hope he gets well soon, I honestly do. Thank you Jerry, I'll tell him, Lloyd said. And getting up, followed the other to the door. Goodbye Miss Ames, called Jerry, and the next moment he was gone. Jerry felt embarrassed at having witnessed the scene between the two, in spite of the fact that as a nurse she was certainly exposed to many intimate family affairs. Lloyd Barkley would probably feel that she was in the way, so... Please excuse me Mr. Barkley, she said, it's time for your uncle's feeding, and she hurried out of the room. Dr. Fortune was pulling the sheet up after having examined Sir Ian once again. You're coming along, you say no pain to speak of, that's good, Dr. Joe was remarking. We'll take some X-rays and then we'll see what we'll see. I've been in touch, as you know, with your Dr. Douglas Mackenzie on the island, and he's given me a summary of your case. Sounds like a fine young physician. Also of the duo denim, that first inch of bowel next to the outlet of the stomach, he told me. A small crater there, no perforation. The doctor looked around to Cherry. Ah, there you are, Miss Ames. I was on the point of calling you. Notting toward Sir Ian, he went on. The patient wondered if you'd mind very much writing a letter and mailing it for him. Why, of course not, Cherry said cheerfully. I'll just prepare Sir Ian's four o'clock feeding. She caught the glint in the mind-owner's eye and stopped. For action, milk with cream in it, Sir Ian finds the word feeding distasteful, she told Dr. Joe. Call it Nectar and Ambrosia, Miss Ames, if that will help, suggested the doctor solemnly. Even Nectar and Ambrosia become a bit monotonous, declared Sir Ian, if given at intervals of every two hours. What name did you give this treatment, doctor? Oh yes, I recall. Sippy. And it is quite aptly named, though. Dr. Joe laughed. It happened, Sir Ian, that that was the name of the doctor who devised the treatment of Peptic ulcer, Dr. Bertram Sippy of Chicago. I refuse to believe it, said Sir Ian. It is two-pat altogether. Cherry had prepared the mixture of equal parts of milk and cream for the feeding throughout the day and had stored them in the sweets refrigerator.  Dr. Joe picked up his bag. I'll look in on you in the morning, he told Sir Ian. The last test showed the acid in your stomach as being kept down at night, so I won't come poking and dosing. You can get an uninterrupted night's sleep. Both Cherry and Sir Ian watched the doctor's slight figure move with quick boyish step across the room and out the door. There is a doctor announced Sir Ian. And a fine man, Cherry added. She went over to the writing table in the bedroom and sat down. Getting out note paper and an envelope from the drawer and her pen from her pocket, she said, I'm ready for that letter now. Sir Ian sucked noisily for a moment, then dictated. Dear jock, here I am in hospital. You'll see the name and address at the top of the page. Attack of ulcers. I am writing to let you know that I have decided not to continue the tour of mines in the United States and Mexico. As soon as I am well enough to travel, I am returning to Balfour. No doubt Mike McGuire has told you I talked with him when I called the mine office. Now, I am not blaming you jock for what happened in number two mine. Don't think for a moment that I am. But with the reopening of number two and the opening of the new mine, as soon as the preliminary work is done, anything is liable to happen. I should not have let James Broderick persuade me against my better judgment to take the tour at this time. I did discover some important new developments in operation during visits to two mines here in the States, so the time has not all been wasted. There was a pause, then Sir Ian continued. Here's the name and address where you sent it. Mr. Jock Cameron, Charles Cove, Balfour Island, Newfoundland, Canada. Cherry addressed the envelope and held the letter while Sir Ian signed it with a flourish. Thank you, nurse. You'll find some airmail stamps on the desk, I believe, he said. She found them, licked one, and placed it on the letter. Now, I suppose you're going off duty, Sir Ian complained pettishly. It's passed four by your watch, I see, and you're going to leave me to the tender mercies of that pirate. Mrs. Hendrickson is very capable and kind, Cherry defended the nurse on duty from four p.m. to twelve midnight. At that moment, Mrs. Hendrickson came in, big and bustling and efficient, and took over. See you at eight sharp in the morning, Sir Ian, Cherry called out from the doorway. Don't forget to mail my letter. I won't, she promised. On going into the sitting room she was surprised to see Lloyd Barkley still there. Why, Mr. Barkley, I thought, she began. Thought I'd gone, he asked. No, I waited to ask you if you'd stop and have an ice cream soda with me. The doctor passed through a bit ago and he asked me if I was waiting to see my uncle. It was too bad, he said, but no more visitors were allowed. Who wants to see the old rascal, I asked. I am waiting to see that bunny lass of the nurse, Miss Ames. I am going to ask her. Sadly, and then crinkled her eyes at him, her to have an ice cream soda she finished for him. And what did the doctor say? Demanded Lloyd and answered himself in the next breath. He said it was a brilliant plan. You, Mr. Barkley, Cherry accused him or simply a younger Barkley than the one in there, pointing to the other room.  I did not haunt with compliments and you cannot take my mind off its purpose with fancy words," he said righteously. How about that soda? I accept with pleasure, Mr. Barkley, she said, in her most ladylike tones. End of Chapter 3 Chapter 4 of Cherry Ames Island Nurse This is a LibriVox recording. LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Elizabeth Holland Cherry Ames Island Nurse by Helen Wells Chapter 4 Lloyd Cherry felt gay and at ease with the world when she went to her locker to get her handbag and powder her nose after telling Lloyd Barkley to meet her in the visitor's lounge. She had reason to be happy. Her patient was mending and didn't she have a date with a man most of the girls would have given their eye teeth to go out with in spite of their feeling that he was snobbish? Lloyd saw her in the doorway of the lounge, got up quickly, and came forward. He observed Cherry admiringly, then said shyly, I'm surely a lucky fellow to be taking out such a pretty girl. Thank you, sir," she told him demurely. I went outside. I'm depending on you to lead us to the best soda in town, he warned as they started down the walk. If you're like my twin brother Charlie, it's the place where they give you the two biggest scoops of ice cream," she informed him. Any brother of yours is bound to have the right idea, he assured her. He wanted to know about Charlie, so Cherry launched into an enthusiastic account of her brother's work. At the corner she stopped to drop her Ian's letter in the mailbox and went on talking. Charlie was always, even as a kid, interested in aeronautics, she told Lloyd. She giggled suddenly. You should have seen that room of his. It was piled to the ceiling with models of planes. Walking down the street from almost every one they passed, it was, hi Cherry, or hello Miss Ames, at an interested glance People in this town all seem to know you," remarked Lloyd. I've lived here all my life and my parents before me, so I suppose the Ames family could be called old-timers. That accounts for it," explained Cherry. That's the way with us on the island, he said. Everyone knows the Barclays. Most of us on the island are what you call old-timers. Our families came there in 1750 and a good many have clung to the big lichens ever since. In fact, until my uncle's generation, none of the Barclays left the island except to go to school in Scotland or for travel in Europe to round out their education. But I rather spoiled the tradition by going to the Colorado School of Mines and working in the States. Hilton's favorite ice cream parlor was charming and old-fashioned. Cherry and Lloyd sat talking over their strawberry ice cream, two huge scoops, sodas. It was Lloyd, really, who did the most talking, and Cherry listened. He seemed to feel the need to talk to someone. As he said, In the past week my uncle and I have become better acquainted with you than people we've known for years. We've come to think of you as not only a nurse, but as a friend, too. It may seem strange to you, but Uncle Ian and I are shy. It's often hard for us to make friends.  At least that is what the fellows told me at the Colorado School of Mines until they really got to know me. He paused, then continued.  With you it's different somehow. For a time he went on talking of the island, the various families, and the different days at the mining school. Suddenly Cherry, who busied herself with her soda, caught a more serious tone in his voice. She sensed that he was leading up to a confidence of some sort. Cherry, he began at last. I suppose you're wondering about Mr. Broderick, Jerry Ives, the plane, and all the rest. It isn't any of my business, Lloyd. Cherry pointed out gently and smiled. But frankly, now that you yourself brought it up, I am curious. I was hoping you would be, he returned with a grin, especially since I hoped that we can be good friends. Carry on, then, friend Lloyd. Cherry encouraged him, keeping her tone light so that he would not feel shy or embarrassed. Let's begin, then, with Mr. James Broderick, said Lloyd. He is a man of wide interest in shipping, construction, plastics, mines, mining machinery, and equipment. Now Uncle Ian had to have all new machinery and equipment to start work on and then operate the new mine, the number 10 you've heard us speak of. Uncle Ian went to James Broderick and arranged to purchase what he needed for the mine through companies that Broderick controlled. Uncle Ian had to borrow a very great deal of money to do this. Cherry shook her head. Oh, dear! To owe money worries everyone. Of course, Surien is worried. Don't look so sad, Lloyd told her. To borrow money in business and industry cherry is an everyday matter. It isn't the borrowing of itself that makes a business safe or unsafe. It's how much can be borrowed with safety by a particular company. Balfour Mines is a family-owned company.  There are few such companies that have survived. And for a very good reason. It takes too much money to run them and compete with enormous industrial and business concerns. The giants. You know yourself, Cherry, that the small grocery store finds it hard to compete with chain stores and supermarkets. It's the same with the Barkley-owned iron mines. We're little compared with the modern giants. When Uncle got the money for the new number 10 mine, he had to borrow more than was safe from the mines. He stretched his credit too far. He has been able so far to make payments on the loans, but he hasn't been able to meet the full payments regularly. And Broderick would leap at the chance to gobble up Balfour Mines. I gathered all this from the few bits of information that Uncle Ian let drop when we were visiting the mines. Cherry frowned, trying to understand how it all fitted together. You seem puzzled, Lloyd said. I am, Cherry replied. I don't understand, Mr. James Broderick.  Lloyd burst into a hearty laugh. Cherry's face must have changed its expression to a wounded one for he apologized. Cherry lasts. Don't look so hurt. It's just that James Broderick is so easy to understand. He's simply interested in taking over companies that are not going as well as they should and making them operate efficiently and profitably. In the process, Mr. Broderick becomes tremendously wealthy and powerful. He advanced money for machinery and equipment for Balfour Mines, so he's interested in seeing that the mines are operating at top level if he ever has to take them over. If observing modern efficiency methods in other mines would help Uncle and me to do this, Mr. Broderick was going to see that we got to visit the most modern mines. Well then, argued Cherry, isn't Mr. Broderick taking a big chance? If you operate the mines very profitably, the loans will be paid off and Mr. Broderick can't gobble up the mines. But that's a chance he's willing to take, Lloyd said. You see, either way, he doesn't really lose. As for the Barclays, they have just about everything to lose if the loans can't be paid off. No wonder Surian is so worried about the mines, Cherry mused aloud. No wonder he was so upset over the trouble in that number two mine you were reopening. She thought of the letter Surian had written Jock Cameron. Now she could understand why Surian felt it urgent to return as soon as possible. He had to be there to see that there was no trouble in the mines. His being there would probably make a difference one way or another, but he felt he should be there. Trouble meant loss of money. He dare not let the mines lose money.  He gave Cherry a smile, as bright as the sun breaking through the clouds. Away, dull care, he cried softly in a bantering voice.  He leaned back and considered her with mock seriousness. Mind you, I'm not one to throw my money away on a mere snippet of a girl, but would you have another strawberry soda, he asked. Cherry thanked him, laughing at his imitation of a canny Scotsman, but told him she had promised to be home by five o'clock. I really must fly, she said, glancing at the time. I had final plans on day camps for children this summer. I'm supposed to help mother. Lloyd paid the check, then insisted upon taking her home in a taxi. Will you have dinner with me one evening, he asked as he left her at the door. Perhaps she'll come for dinner and meet my family, she countered. I would be delighted, he said. He ran down the steps and drove off in the cab. Who was that nice looking young man who brought him home? He was sitting near the window in the living room reading the evening paper. Yes, I think he's rather nice, agreed Cherry, stopping to preen herself before the hall mirror. She stuck her dainty nose in the air and announced instilted accents. He's only the nephew of the famous Sir Ian Barkley. Mrs. Ames came in from the kitchen just then. Her sweet face was puzzled for a moment, then she smiled, her eyes interrupted an actress who was throwing herself into her part and I do mean throwing, but I'll be right with you, Cherry sang out.  When dinner was eaten and the dishes washed, Cherry and her father escaped to the back porch and sat on the steps, leaving Mrs. Ames and the ladies to carry on their committee work inside the house. To escape the hectic night, I'm to stand by in case they have any questions on health, physical examinations and the like, Cherry told her father. Because of her experience as a camp nurse, she served as a sort of volunteer consultant to her mother's committee. Cherry gave one of her delightful little giggles. Otherwise, she said, the ladies prefer to do their own planning with no interference from fresh young things like me. I think this year they are going to hold hands near the lake and take the children there and back each day by bus. Right now they are in a swivet over how to raise some more money. Mr. Ames groaned.  Cherry sniffed. Something like that hideous desk lamp you bought because you felt sorry for the man or the stuffed owl that you wanted to help the boy's taxidermy club get started. If it weren't for the ladies' sales and auction, she scolded fondly.  Women snorted her father. No appreciation of the finer things in life. Silence fell on the two. They looked out on the lawn where trees cast mottled shadows in the moonlight. For Mrs. Ames's garden, the odor of spring flowers was damaged then by a little breeze which came up suddenly and as suddenly died away. There was a feeling in the air of contentment. Why don't you ask that young fellow to dinner sometime?" asked Mr. Ames, apropos of nothing at all. Cherry knew that young fellow meant Lloyd. I already have, she said. I know you and mother will like him. She talked about Lloyd and his uncle then for a while. You know Cherry, he said finally. I think this whole ulcer trouble is probably due to worry over money. Sir Ian is sick with worry. That's an old-fashioned expression, but it is very apt at times. Yes, money worry is probably the clue to the whole thing, Cherry agreed musingly. Without their being aware of it, the house had become silent and snatches of conversation no longer drifted out to them. Mrs. Ames walked out on the porch. Meetings over and they have all gone home, she announced. Then without a break continued, Cherry Ames, I distinctly heard you use the word clue. You're not going to start playing Miss Sherlock Holmes again, are you? You'll end up in a book just the way he did, warned her mother laughing. The Barclays are very interesting people, remarked Mr. Ames in a hurt tone, and we were talking about them. The clue came into the discussion. Do you, Cherry? I suppose it sneaked in when nobody was looking, replied Cherry, joining her father and teasing her mother. Oh, you too, exclaimed Mrs. Ames. Incidentally, while you were doing so much talking about the Barclays, did you decide to ask the young man to dinner? We did, Cherry and her father declared in unison. Cherry and her mother and father set a date which seemed best for everyone. Friday of the following week, the next day Cherry was giving Sir Ian his noontime milk and cream when Lloyd came to visit his uncle, and she invited Lloyd to dinner. He accepted enthusiastically. The nerve of the chit, exclaimed Sir Ian, asked you to a good dinner at the same time she's conniving with the doctor to keep me on Dr. Sippy's slops for three weeks. Sir Ian might growl, but all the same Cherry could see that he was pleased. And what do I have to do to receive an invitation, he demanded. Get well, Sir, she told him cheerfully. That was Saturday. It had been arranged for Cherry to have a day off on Sunday. It would be Monday morning at eight before she would be on duty again. By then Sir Ian had already seen the disturbing news item in the paper which changed everything. End of Chapter 4 Chapter 5 of Cherry Ames Island Nurse This is the LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Cherry Ames Island Nurse by Helen Wells Chapter 5 Med Monday morning Miss Page, the 12 midnight to 8am nurse came out of Sir Ian's room looking worried and exhausted. Cherry hurried up to her. How is he, she asked. Sir Ian had been walking about a bit when she had left him on Saturday. Things aren't going too badly now, Miss Page answered. Cherry cried, you mean Sir Ian's worse? Well, he had a relapse after I came on at midnight, Miss Page explained. He was in great pain and I had to call Dr. Fortune. What in the world happened demanded Cherry. The others shook her head. I haven't the slightest notion, Miss Ames. He was asleep when I relieved Mrs. Hendrickson. She said he'd seemed alright. He had sat up and even read the newspaper earlier in the evening. How is the patient now, Cherry asked. As I said not doing too badly, Miss Page replied, Dr. Fortune is in there with him. Cherry opened the door and walked quickly into the room. Dr. Joe was sitting at the desk making some notes. He looked up as Cherry came in and stood beside him after she had briefly observed Sir Ian's quiet form. Good morning Cherry. Dr. Joe greeted her weirdly. In a quiet voice so as not to be overheard by the patient he continued, we've had a setback I'm afraid. It's a good thing you're going to be with Sir Ian.  His attitude towards Miss Page and Mrs. Hendrickson isn't at all cooperative. Dr. Joe sighed and returned to his notes. Cherry went over to the bed. Sir Ian lay quietly on his back.  His nose beaked like against the pillow. Looks just like a great sleeping eagle Cherry thought. All of a sudden she was aware of one gray eye regarding her. I've made rather a mess of Cherry. He said with a one attempt at a smile. All your good work for nothing. There now she told him don't fret. It's going to be all right. You don't hurt anywhere now do you? No not for the moment he answered. Dr. Joe began to gather up his notes preparatory to leaving. I'm going to call Dr. Mackenzie at Balfour Island and confer with him. He explained to Cherry. Sir Ian was nauseated by the cream in the milk. He hasn't been before as you know. Miss Page gave him plain milk but he vomited that and suffered intense pain. There were no indications of hemorrhaging. I worked to get the acid in his stomach neutralized. He was in distress for some time though in spite of various treatments. That has been relieved but I want him to go back on the sippy regimen that we used at the beginning that is the hourly feedings instead of every two hours. If there is any hint that the cream may make him nauseous don't mix it with the milk. Simply give him three ounces of milk. I know you realize Dr. Joe said as they walked through the sitting room how important mental rest is for people with psychosomatic diseases such as ulcers. From the description Lloyd has given me of his uncle I gather Sir Ian has always been an intensely hard driving, hard working man who has been under unusually severe strain for a number of years. Acute anxiety brought on the attack in the plane Dr. Mackenzie told me when I talked with him before that any major difficulty at the mines used to bring on a mild attack never anything so serious before but I can't think of any nervous upset which might account for this relapse can you? No Dr. Joe I can't offhand. She stopped then said quickly unless Sir Ian was upset by Jerry Ives as leaving as he did Sir Ian doesn't know yet that Ives has gone Dr. Joe continued he didn't hear what went on Friday in the sitting room and I asked Lloyd to say nothing about it I mean there was no point Dr. Joe took a deep breath do everything you can to put his mind at ease of course Cherry promised are you going to allow Lloyd to see him? Yes not too long at a time Sir Ian is very fond of his nephew might be upsetting if we kept Lloyd away just now replied Dr. Joe with that he left saying he would be in again later Cherry moved about the room quietly putting things in order checking supplies keeping a watchful eye on her patient at nine o'clock she gave him three ounces of milk the cream bothered him he said so she omitted it he dropped off into a light dose she noticed that the waste paper basket beside the desk was full it had been overlooked no doubt when the room had last been tidied but what made her decide to take it out and exchange it for the empty one in the sitting room she could not guess or why she looked into it she did not know but she did the greater part of the contents was a newspaper neatly folded and tucked in at the side Cherry stood in the sitting room about to set the basket down when she found herself thinking back to what Miss Page had said that Sir Ian had read the newspaper what newspaper with a glance over her shoulder at Sir Ian to see that he was still dozing Cherry closed the bedroom door and snatched the paper out of the basket Toronto Star stretched across the mast head in bold black tape why of course she thought she knew Lloyd had arranged for his uncle to receive the Toronto Star by airmail special delivery at the hospital she felt a prickle of excitement Sir Ian must have read a news story or an item that disturbed him holding the paper in outstretched arms she began running her eyes up and down the columns at last her search was rewarded explosion in mine headed the one column report she raced on Balfour Island Newfoundland April 10th an explosion took place yesterday that was Saturday Cherry thought counting backward quickly in one of the mines here no one was injured according to a statement by M. F. McGuire assistant superintendent of Balfour Mines he could not account for the explosion operation of the mine has been temporarily halted for necessary repairs there was no question now when Cherry's mind about it that short paragraph was the cause of Sir Ian's upset there was something in the story itself that struck Cherry immediately as wrong why was McGuire the assistant superintendent of Balfour Mines quoted the person who should give out statements to the press was the superintendent in charge shot Cameron why had not Mr. Cameron done so she folded the paper back at the paragraph ready to show Dr. Joe and Lloyd Cherry looked about for a hiding place beneath the seat cushion of one of the chairs was as good as any she slid it under and returned to Sir Ian's room Lloyd arrived a little after 11 o'clock to find his uncle just finishing his milk he carried a huge bunch of daffodils in one of those white molded pulp faces which florists provide good morning Cherry good morning Uncle Ian he greeted them cheerfully you're looking better Sir that milk is doing wonders for your complexion you are going to have a skin like a wee bonnie bands before long and the wee strength of one his uncle growled weekly I brought you some flowers Lloyd said stating the obvious I but such a wee bunch remarked Sir Ian of course the color is bright and showy he added grudgingly Cherry and Lloyd exchanged a knowing glance they could see that he was pleased Lloyd placed the flowers on a table near the window where Sir Ian could see them Cherry said I'll leave the two of you alone a while and started out there's no need for you to go Cherry Sir Ian told her I'm not in a talking mood today I'd rather listen and I'd enjoy your company I'd rather sit down and talk he ordered Cherry laughed usually people tell me to sit down and stop talking she said Uncle Ian usually tells me the same thing Lloyd remarked so this will be a welcome change he drew up a couple of chairs and they settled into an easy conversation of small talk Cherry knew that Lloyd was a good talker now she found that he was equally good at telling a story he related a wonderful folk tale about an old ball four islander pirate and returned to haunt the place you see Cherry commented Sir Ian Lloyd's a true Barclay knows all the old tales loves the island and he is going to make the best mining engineer Balfour ever had no doubt he's told you he was graduated with top honors from the Colorado School of Mines and he could have been a top man in the mining company where he worked but he loves Balfour and he's there to stay Lloyd flushed his uncle's praise and mumbled thought you were going to listen not talk no Sir Ian Cherry said I had no idea how important he was just like him Sir Ian agreed flatly of course I approve of a certain degree of modesty but my nephew over does it went on Sir Ian as though Lloyd were not present furthermore he's overflowed with all kinds of ideas wonderful ideas but highly impractical Sir Ian stole a glance at his nephew to see what effect his words had on him Lloyd pretended not to notice but he frowned with quick anger it's my turn now to talk Cherry announced abruptly did I ever tell you about the time I was a nurse for a country doctor and got all mixed up in a campaign for mayor both men looked at her in surprise you ran for mayor asked Sir Ian you would have had my vote declared Lloyd stoutly and mine echoed Sir Ian with equal conviction you are both deliberately twisting my words Cherry said laughing I wasn't running for mayor this struck them both as funny oh a man fancy that they cried she had set them off and they were bent on teasing her she not only did not mind but she gave herself a mental pat on the back forgetting the conversation back in the right key Lloyd's visit had lasted perhaps half an hour when he got up saying that he had better run along between visits to his uncle he had been spending time touring the area about Hilton to take a look at the various factories and industries and some of the engineering projects Cherry rose casually and followed him to the door wait out here she whispered quickly I must see you then for Sir Ian's benefit she said loudly goodbye for now and closed the door Sir Ian smiled up at Cherry returned and stood at the foot of his bed I don't know when I've had a more pleasant time he told her I have a feeling you're what the Indians call good medicine I resent nurses on general principles they boss me and I don't like being bossed Cherry grinned I boss you too but I try not to let you catch on she pointed out I your canny you know just how to handle me to keep me from getting my back up he said few people are able to do that too only I can think of offhand you and Meg a little sigh escaped him I wish my Meg were here so she could meet you and get to be friends his words trailed off he closed his eyes Cherry waited and when he did not open them she went quietly into the other room Lloyd had been walking up and down slowly lost in thought he whirled to face her the chair plucked out the newspaper and handed it to him oh it's the star he said it must have been delivered to Uncle Ian after I left him last evening read that Cherry pointed to the paragraph on the explosion Lloyd read it swiftly there must be something terribly wrong at Balfour Lloyd exclaimed his voice low but harsh his face angry this man McGuire who does he think he is if anyone gives a statement to the press he is the superintendent could Mr Cameron have been away when it happened suggested Cherry perhaps he was sick oh no there is more to it than that declared Lloyd why that red face bully if that McGuire thinks he's going to usurp Cameron's place he broke off I'm going to find out what's going on up there I'm going to Balfour he strobe to the door thanks Cherry you're strictly wonderful please give me a rain check on that dinner Friday with that he was out in the hall Cherry ran and called after him where are you going going to see Dr Joe Lloyd called back tell him what I'm going to do by the time Dr Joe came that afternoon to visit Sir Ian Lloyd Barkley had packed and was well on his way to Balfour Island he had called the nearest airfield and chartered a plane no one could stop him he was determined to go Dr Joe told Cherry if I could have stopped him I don't know whether I would have been doing right this is Lloyd's chance to show his uncle that he is not a fool when it comes to managing the affairs of the mines and since his uncle is in no condition to manage anything right now let the boy see what he can do after all he inherited his father's shares in the Balfour mines and he has a right to look after his interests to put it bluntly his uncle doesn't think Lloyd's a fool Cherry said he's crazy about his nephew I can see that I know I know agreed Dr Joe of course he is but Sir Ian has no confidence in Lloyd's business ability he thinks the boy is a remarkable engineer but lacks administrative ability he forgets that he's never given Lloyd a chance how are we going to break the news to Sir Ian Cherry asked sighing deeply Dr Joe gave her what he might have thought was a sly glance but it was about a sly as a brown bears Sir Ian is going to have a very happy surprise oh I tell you that boy Lloyd Barkley got the bit in his teeth this morning and there was no holding him he called Meg Barkley in London and she'll be here as fast as jet planes and other modern conveyances of travel can fetch her to Cherry the time until Sir Ian's daughter arrived on Wednesday seemed to be endless luckily Sir Ian assumed that his nephew was off taking a look around the country which he had said he might do so Cherry simply said nothing Sir Ian's condition showed some improvement but he seemed depressed and moody Cherry could rally him but he was withdrawn and taciturn with Miss Page and Mrs Hendrickson then Wednesday came at last and with it lovely Meg Barkley she did not announce her arrival she simply appeared in the doorway like a princess out of a fairy tale Sir Ian saw her and his whole face lighted up she ran over to him and threw her arms about him oh duh she cried using the Scottish word for dad why didn't you tell me I would have come sooner and taken you home there there Sir Ian had at her dark head don't take on now I wanted you to have a good time Meg lifted her head and brushed away the tears that had gathered in her eyes she was all sunshine again but duh after the first two weeks at home sick I thought I couldn't bear it she said such was Cherry's first meeting with Meg father and daughter finally took notice of Cherry who had been too startled to move Sir Ian introduced the two the grandest nurse and the grandest daughter a man ever had Cherry and Meg regarded each other for a long moment each girl liked what she saw and Sir Ian lay there and admired the pair Meg with wavy brown hair violet eyes with humor fine regular features friendly mouth and as slim as a young willow Cherry with glossy dark curls dark expressive eyes red cheeks and slender figure what a beautiful picture they made Renoir would have loved to paint them the two girls broke into smiles and shook hands warmly it was the beginning of a friendship which Cherry and Meg were to treasure and it was the day which drew Cherry into the history of Balfour Island for Meg had come determined to take her father home as soon as possible he'll never get well Meg told Dr. Joe and Cherry I know Da, he will worry a little more today a little less tomorrow perhaps but he'll never be at ease until he returns to the island something is wrong though he won't tell me what it is and he must see to it because of Sir Ian's pattern of brief improvement followed by a setback Dr. Joe was inclined to agree but he had to be sure Sir Ian had consistent and proper nursing care Dr. McKenzie had told him there were two registered nurses on the island neither of whom could be spared from the island's hospital both Sir Ian and Meg pleaded every day with Cherry to return with them Sir Ian became stubborn and insisted he would not tolerate another nurse it was a big decision for Cherry to make you'd not do wrong in going Dr. Joe said and her family agreed I think Dr. Joe had added it will be an interesting experience for you in many ways I've made inquiries about young Dr. Douglas McKenzie and all the reports are good his reputation as a physician is excellent the moment Cherry said yes Meg got on the long distance telephone and began making arrangements with the servants at Barkley House for getting everything in order Dr. Joe helped make arrangements in hospital for Cherry's leap of absence Cherry herself hurried around went off duty buying all the things she absolutely needed and doing all the other things that had to be done when anyone plans to be away for several months I surely hope all of this is not premature her mother said to Cherry Dr. Joe hasn't said Sir Ian is well enough to travel oh but Sir Ian has been improving steadily since Meg declared she was going to take him home there's no hitch any longer about nursing care Cherry told her do you know Sir Ian never even batted an eyelash when Meg told him Lloyd had already gone to the island she was worried about breaking the news to him as Lloyd had asked her to do but she need not have worried at all Sir Ian even told Meg to wire him to meet us as soon as we know when we will arrive well as Dr. Joe told us the other evening when he came over Mrs. Ames said he's known of patients who got over their ulcers on the first day of vacation Sir Ian probably feels the same sort of relief End of Chapter 5 Chapter 6 of Cherry Ames Island Nurse this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Cherry Ames Island Nurse by Helen Wells Chapter 6 Balfour Island it was a rather complicated journey to Balfour Island from Hilton, Cherry, Sir Ian and Meg went by train to Chicago and from there by plane to St. John's Newfoundland in Canada from there they took the ferry boat Sandy Fergus that ran between St. John's and the Island the journey was further complicated because Sir Ian was a sick man and special arrangements had to be made to ensure his comfort and to avoid fatigue modern conveniences of travel made this a relatively easy matter but Sir Ian's eagerness to get home made him impatient and cross with those very precautions which were taken for his health and comfort during the journey it was all Cherry could do aided by Meg to keep him reasonably calm and see that he followed Dr. Joe's orders as cheerfully as possible the girls succeeded better perhaps for when the plane landed at St. John's Newfoundland just ahead of a fog Sir Ian was actually complacent about taking the slower ancient ferry boat instead of the much faster helicopter to the Island the helicopter will never make it Meg had said at first signs of the fog I Sir Ian had agreed but you can depend on John Robb getting us there which is more than I can say for the fall to law Whirly Birds John Robb was the captain and owner of the Burgess ferry boat and as Cherry was to discover let neither fog, rain, wind, snowstorm nor ice in Balmagi Bay keep him from his two daily trips between St. John's and Balfour the helicopter which carried mail and passengers once a day or on special flights was faster but it was far less reliable it supplied service only during fair weather wind and fog made it impossible to land on the Island and then hung over Balfour and came at unexpected times the Balfourians referred to the helicopter as the may be which some wit had named it explaining maybe you go and maybe you don't it all depends on the weather when Cherry, Sir Ian and Meg got off the plane at St. John's the fog was rolling in dimming the morning sun the air was chilly Cherry was glad she had on her warm coat and had brought along woollen sweaters and Meg had advised packing Sir Ian was bundled up Cherry had insisted upon it in spite of his protests but she could see that both he and Meg were much happier with the colder climate they had begun to find the spring weather in Hilton warm enough for their taste the summer would be much too hot for us Newfoundlanders, Meg had told Cherry we'd melt Lloyd Barkley was waiting for them at the St. John's airport hello everybody he greeted them with Cherry and gave Meg a cousinly peck on the cheek it's good to see you, Sir he said to his uncle as they shook hands I have a taxi waiting to take us to the wharf we'll have to ride the ferry I came over in the may be but the pilot didn't want to try to make it back Lloyd managed the meeting with such ease that one would have thought he was simply greeting them upon their return from a pleasant weekend all three of the Barkleys behaved as though nothing unusual had happened during the past weeks as for Cherry she was consumed with curiosity about what Lloyd had found out upon his return to Balfour after luggage had been checked through customs and they were settled in the taxi, a converted limousine Cherry thought surely Sir Ian or Lloyd or Meg at least would ask Lloyd what had happened on the island but Cherry was disappointed they chatted casually of the trip and the weather upon arrival at the wharf Sir Ian permitted Lloyd to help him out of the car then brushed away his nephew's helping hand and started toward the boat he walked beside Lloyd with slow deliberate steps his shoulders back his head high Cherry and Meg followed and behind them trailed the porters with bags and luggage the king returns ran through Cherry's mind Sir Ian might be sick but his people were not to see him leaning upon anyone's arm that he had a nurse with him was of no importance Sir Ian Barkley was able to have a dozen nurses if it so pleased him they made quite a swath down the middle of the wharf through the crowd of people past boxes and crates for the wharf was busy all along the way their appearance was greeted with nods and good morning to you from various people Cherry in her distinguishing nurses attire drew considerable attention to undoubtedly people were curious about her being with the Barkleys the Sandy Fergus was tied up at some distance down the wharf they passed small vessels moored alongside and could see through the mist the shapes of tankers, fishing boats and ships anchored in the harbor as they reached the ferry boat they were met as they stepped aboard by the captain John Robb a grizzled headed old sea dog with a pipe in his mouth I've been expecting you he said gripping Sir Ian's hand and his big paw told Lloyd I'd hold the boat if need be welcome home Ian this was the first time Cherry had heard the mine owner called anything but Sir Ian the captain was obviously delighted to see Sir Ian and Meg and they to see him when Cherry was introduced he gave her a sharp look from under shaggy eyebrows a fine lass of a nurse eh he said in a deep singing Scottish voice I'm glad you've come he jerked his head towards Sir Ian this old chap here can do with a bit of looking after ulcers or pocky things the captain means they're stubborn Sir Ian growled amiably he still talks the way we did when we were in school together in Scotland while they were talking to the captain the boat had been gradually taking on passengers there were 40 or so men women and children scattered about the deck and leaning against the rail of the old fishing vessel that is what the sandy Fergus had been originally and indeed Captain Robb still used it for occasional fishing as was quite evident from the odor came to report to Captain Robb that a place in the cabin had been arranged where Sir Ian and his party would be comfortable as they moved toward the cabin Cherry felt herself jostled turning her head she saw a man hurrying past in a group of late comers for it was within a few minutes of departure time the man stopped suddenly a little ahead of them he was a short powerful little man with a dark hat pulled down at an angle he was dressed in a grey suit a bit too obviously expensive to be in the best of taste he saw Cherry glance at him through the cabin window as she sat down inside and moved quickly out of sight Sir Ian settled comfortably on the window seat was immediately surrounded by well-wishers who had been on business shopping trips or visits to relatives on the mainland Cherry would have retired to the background but Sir Ian kept bringing her forward to introduce her to one more of the returning islanders far from being annoyed by the fuss made over him Sir Ian was enjoying himself hugely he was rather like a king holding court and he was genuinely interested in what everyone had to say he knew all about their families implied them with questions hearing them talk Cherry felt that she had been dropped into a corner of Scotland in fact as Lloyd had once said to her Balfour and its people are a bit of Scotland only separated of course by the Atlantic Ocean it was all very warm and friendly between Sir Ian and his visitors but Cherry observed that things were not the same and a little wiry white haired lady accompanied by a skinny toe-headed boy about 10 or 11 years old when Cherry had entered the cabin she had heard the boy ask Grandma, aren't we going in to see Sir Ian and Miss Meg? Oh dear no, we'll not be troubling them the elderly woman had answered and hustled the boy away now and then Cherry caught sight of the two walking up and down the deck or leaning against the rail outside during a period when Sir Ian and Meg were in lively conversation with their visitors Lloyd suggested to Cherry that she might like to take a turn around the deck I'd love to, she told him Meg will look after Uncle Ian, he said besides nobody will miss us when they have their Lord and Lady of the Manor why Lloyd, you sound bitter Cherry said as he guided her outside not really, he replied it's just that I've been away so long at school and working in the states that people here treat me rather like a stranger they walked to the door they walked to the bow of the boat and stood gazing at the rough water waves rolled in white plumes off the sides and cast salt spray in their faces the mist like tattered veils trailed over the boat in the water it was rather as though they were floating in space I think I love the sea Cherry said musingly you'll make a good Balfourian Lloyd complimented her if you can enjoy the sea and the fog that's the first test but wait until we have a clear sunny day you'll really love it then this narrow passage between Balmagi Bay on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east we're crossing it now is always rough, never much quieter than this and in bad weather of course the water rushes through like a torrent in fine weather though Balmagi Bay is calm and blue and the Atlantic grows quieter the island lies between the bay and the sea rising out of the waters like a jewel Lloyd broke off suddenly sorry Cherry he apologized I get carried away I didn't mean to give you a lecture on natural history Lloyd watched the water alongside the boat a bit then said abruptly Cherry remember the story in the newspaper oh my she exclaimed laughing I wondered when you were going to say something about that how could I forget it I've practically bitten my tongue off to keep from asking questions the story of the explosion brought you flying back here you are right Lloyd said he grinned roofily at her and went on well it was a tempest in a teapot the explosion that is for some reason probably someone's carelessness there was a small delayed blast in number two mine just after the miners had knocked off work it did some damage in one of the tunnels but it might have injured some of the men said Cherry it might agreed Lloyd there are safety measures which probably would have prevented it I've been investigating our safety methods some of the miners aren't nearly as careful as they should be isn't it strange that all the trouble has been in number two mine asked Cherry what does Mr Cameron say well Jock can't explain it replied Lloyd in fact he was quite evasive about the whole thing I couldn't seem to get a direct answer out of him I don't know what in the world has happened to him he avoids me and every day he has off he goes fishing that may not sound unusual to you because you expect people on an island to go fishing but not all Jock he used to sail his boat on Sundays in summer in Balmagi Bay when I was a boy he would take me and some of the other boys sailing but he never cared about fishing now every chance he gets out in that rowboat he goes and he doesn't go in the bay he goes out in the ocean deep sea not far from our big sea cave we call rogues cave as they say in Scotland I don't know what's come over the man what about McGuire asked Cherry I thought you rushed up here to give McGuire a piece of your mind that was the idea Lloyd admitted but that young fellow appears to know his business he's from the new iron mines in northern Quebec and he brought a good crew with him Broderick recommended him incidentally I did start to tear into him about giving out the statement to the press on the explosion and telling Uncle Ian about the weakened walls in the tunnel of number two mine then he explained that Mr Cameron was off on those days and he was technically in charge and of course the man was right I respect McGuire's skill as a minor and his ability to handle a mining crew but I can't say I like him particularly Lloyd confessed he's too aggressive and extremely ambitious perhaps that's why Mr Cameron behaving so strangely suggested Cherry wouldn't you be angry and terribly hurt if you were in his place a younger man is brought in an ambitious fellow and Mr Cameron feels he is being pushed out of his job oh old jock everyone calls him that knows that Uncle Ian would never let that happen declared Lloyd but old jock's nose undoubtedly is out of joint over McGuire and he's being stubborn and uncooperative that's about what it amounts to and I'll have to bear with him for the time being well please don't tell your uncle about all this just now Cherry cautioned he's in no condition to be excited or worried about anything Lloyd patted her hand and smiled engagingly at her there now I'll always be as soft as a kitten with the old tyrant so don't get the wind up nurse lass haven't I behaved well so far he tweaked one of her curls no complaints so far she said grinning just then she saw the little old lady in the boy and plucked Lloyd's sleeve who are they? she asked quickly who? where? Lloyd swiveled his head about oh dear, you can't see them now they're behind all those other people Cherry told him it's an old lady and a boy the boy wanted to see your uncle but his grandmother wouldn't let him she doesn't seem to like him much and then he and said Lloyd laughing some people have been known not to like him you know he can be a grizzly bear at times scares people, makes them mad well I'm sure he doesn't go around frightening old ladies and little boys scoff Cherry I think I'd better go back it's my responsibility to see that your uncle doesn't tire himself out and just let him try being a grizzly bear to scare me she boasted with mock severity Lloyd, well where you go I go pretty maid he took her arm with a gallant air and escorted her back to the cabin it was not long before they reached Belfour the distance from St. John's was about four miles or so but the time varied with the state of the weather the sandy Fergus on good days in fair seas could cross in under an hour on bad days it was hard to tell how long the crossing would take today the boat had made good time Captain Rob considered the fog too slight to be worthy of the name standing on deck Cherry saw Belfour Island when it was at neither its best nor its worst the noonday sun shining through the mist gave a milky sort of light the breeze off the island smelled of balsam and pine there was a view of the sandy beach of the harbor, the wharves boats and little frame houses back of them were trees and the network of conveyors and bridges and power lines of the mines they formed a lacy pattern on ridges and hills and above the little valleys there Meg was saying and prodding Cherry up there on the cliffs to the right is Barkley house that's where we're going it faces the ocean on one side and Balmagi Bay on the other Cherry looked up to the grey walls of the big house with its square tower balconies and tall chimneys like a castle atop the cliff how beautiful Cherry exclaimed makes me think of gallant nights and fair ladies the sandy Fergus drew alongside the wharf in a moment then they were going ashore Lloyd close to his uncle and Cherry and Meg behind there was a little crowd of men, women and children on the wharf there were cheers for Sir Ian some called out greetings to Meg and Lloyd youngsters waved everyone stared at Cherry attentively interested as people in a small community always are in a stranger two men detached themselves from the crowd a lanky, sandy-haired young man with a pleasantly ugly face and a big jovial red-faced red-haired man with prominent blue eyes they shook hands with the Barkleys then Meg introduced them to Cherry Dr. Douglas McKenzie was the lanky one and Michael McGuire, the big fellow who, judging from his build had probably played end on a college football team Cherry's impression on seeing Dr. McKenzie was one of surprise from hearing Sir Ian and Dr. Joe talk about him Dr. Joe had gotten his impression from the man's voice over the phone Cherry had imagined the doctor as a very young very studious and earnest type of fellow with horn-rimmed glasses then, too, she had expected him to be quite reserved and formal but he was not in the least what she had imagined he was not very young she thought he was between 30 and 35 his manner was easy and informal his bony face was wonderfully kind he wore no glasses and his large brown eyes were keenly observant I like him, Cherry thought I think we'll get on together because he was Sir Ian's physician she would have to work under Dr. McKenzie's direction if the doctor were a difficult person her nursing job could be made quite trying Cherry worked well with most people but it was always easier to work with those who had agreeable personalities she liked Dr. McKenzie very much indeed on site and it was plain to be seen that he and Meg were very much in love they could scarcely take their eyes off each other where's Dr. Cameron, Sir Ian demanded all of a sudden I saw him take his boat out early this morning piped up a man in the crowd he's probably gone fishing gone fishing Sir Ian cried in amazement turning to McGuire he asked wasn't he in the office this morning oh well it's old jock's day off and he's gone fishing, McGuire answered you're a fine one to be asking for jock Cameron, Sir Ian cried a thin quavery voice and a wisp of a man advanced slowly toward the mine owner ye think a man's got no pride he didn't take it kindly that you've seen fit to make certain changes in operating the mines bringing in a young sprout from Quebec to lord it over him the man glanced at McGuire with dislike Sir Ian glared down at the little old man just what do you mean talking such stuff in nonsense Tim Morgan he demanded angrily Dr. Mackenzie moved quickly and laid a gentle hand on Tim Morgan's shoulder you must excuse Sir Ian now Mr. Morgan the doctor said after he's rested I'm sure he'll be glad to see you Cherry stepped to Sir Ian's side and putting her hand on his elbow propelled him firmly but gently toward the foot of the wharf where the chauffeur stood beside the open door of the Barclays not very new Rolls-Royce Sir Ian has had an exhausting trip she said crisply to McGuire and those gathered around he must go home and get some rest at once Dr. Mackenzie, Sir Ian Cherry, Lloyd and Meg walked to the car the chauffeur started the motor they drove off up High Street that led from the waterfront through the village climbing up and up to Barclay House on the cliffs End of Chapter 6 Chapter 7 of Cherry Ames Island Nurse This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Anita Sloma Martinez Cherry Ames Island Nurse by Helen Wells Chapter 7 Island Nurse It was the middle of the afternoon when Cherry finally went downstairs to lunch Sir Ian was in an agitated state and refused point-blank to go to bed and rest Dr. Mackenzie or Dr. Mack as everyone called him on Balfour was friendly but firm shoot everyone away but Cherry and got Sir Ian into bed By that time Sir Ian was glad to go for he had too much pain to stir about Dr. Mack gave him medication to relieve any acid condition in his stomach Cherry gave him a feeding of milk and cream to which he reacted well Between little twitches of pain Sir Ian complained and grumbled he had come back he said to look after his minds and how was he going to do it if some young whipper snapper of a doctor or nurse kept him in bed couldn't they see that everything was at sixes at sevens on the island Dr. Mack listened gravely nodding in agreement to everything the mine owner said Wheele why don't you say something Mackenzie Sir Ian burst out at last in exasperation the doctor grinned his face wrinkling in amusement why sir you didn't give me a chance he replied you stopped me demanded the other erasably no you sat bobbing your head like a silly nut hatch pecking open a nut and you Cherry what was the matter with you I agreed with Dr. Mack's unvoiced opinion Cherry said primly it was better to let you get it off your chest perhaps now you'll settle down and get some rest your red cheeked tyrant Sir Ian accused her you wait when I get well I'll show you whose boss unless you quit upsetting yourself over things you can do nothing about said Dr. Mack you are going to lie there and be a milk-sup isn't that correct Miss Ames absolutely doctor Cherry agreed with vigor but never to get sick grumbled Sir Ian turning his head aside and closing his eyes who's your independence have to do is your bid Sir Ian pretended to sleep for a while when the pain left he began to doze the trip had tired him call me at the hospital Dr. Mack told Cherry on leaving if you need me for anything but I'll be back later anyway to see how he is Cherry sat alone with Sir Ian for a while longer then Meg peaked in to say that she would relieve her you must have lunch Cherry Meg told her Lloyd and I had ours ages ago down to the mines I'll stay with father I had Higgins lay a place in the dining room and keep the chops warm if you don't like lamb chops just tell Higgins and he'll have tests that's the cook fix you something you do like Robert Higgins was the family's butler thank you Meg a lamb chop will do nicely Cherry assured her I'll not take long Cherry left going into her own room across the hall for a moment to freshen up the family's bedroom and the guest rooms were all on the second floor Cherry's room was on the northeast corner of the house overlooking the cliffs above a great cave called Rogues Cave in the cliffside from the east windows Cherry had a magnificent view of the cliffs and the sea on the north the windows looked out over the island and onto the big hill where iron ore had first been discovered on the island and the first mine located well over a hundred years ago that mine had been worked out and abandoned long ago the top of the hill where the entrance to the mine shaft had once been was grown over now with bushes and vines Cherry stood for a minute gazing at the scene then walked down the long hall down the curving staircase to the center hall below were portraits of generations of Barclays looked down upon her some were grim and stern others smiled aloofly Meg resembled one of the ladies very much the difference was in the dress which told Cherry that Meg would have had to be a hundred and fifty years old to have posed for the artist this way Miss Ames Higgins said suddenly appearing in front of her the butler was old fashioned and formal without being stiff he had served at the Barclays since Meg's father was a young man his father and his grandfather before him had been butlers to the Barclays Higgins led Cherry across the hall past the west drawing room and into the dining room filled with heavy mahogany and teak furniture as he was serving her lunch she asked Higgins why is the cave in the cliff below my windows called Rogues Cave I heard from my grandad that it was once a hideout for smugglers Miss Ames he answered oh what did they smuggle brandy and risky for traders who exchanged them with the Indians for furs Higgins said shaking his head in disapproval does anyone ever go spelunking I mean does anybody go exploring the cave asked Cherry helping herself to more of the chutney for the lamb not that I know of Miss Ames he replied not far inside anyway since Syrian that is the old Syrian the present Syrian's father and Miss Meg's grandfather was a boy my daughter said that the boy was lost for three days in Rogues Cave delirious when they found him on the beach raving of gold and silver and crying open sesame of course the boys head was filled with tales of adventure for all he was a little scientist a scientist Cherry asked I my daughter was fond of telling me how little Syrian used the room at the top of the tower for his experiments Higgins told her he was always crushing stones and melting things down in his little furnace at the same time he liked to imagine himself a Barbary pirate a Prince of Araby an Indian chief or whatever struck his fancy when he wasn't mixing and boiling and cooking his chemical formulas he must have been a very unusual and imaginative boy Cherry commented he was that Miss Ames Higgins agreed then he would sit up there in the tower he motioned in the general direction of the square stone tower at the end of the house writing in what he called his secret journal by candlelight at night it would be fascinating to see what he wrote Cherry said perhaps Syrian might let me look at the journal no one but the boy ever laid eyes on it to anyone's knowledge replied Higgins he kept it hidden away then I dare say by the time he returned from schooling in Scotland he had forgot all about it from my dad told me that the master Barkley house never spoke of it more once he took up the management of the mines so no one ever saw it said Cherry that's too bad I but the tower room is almost the same now as when the old Syrian was a boy and the old settler told her the presence of Syrian never disturbed anything for he was not interested in experiments he was concerned only about operating the mines having finished her lunch Cherry thanked Higgins for his interesting conversation and went upstairs through the open door of Sir Ian's room Megs and her father's voices floated down the hall the acoustics were such that an amplifier and Cherry could hear more distinctly than if she were in the room with them da dear you mustn't be cross with Adphyllis Megs was saying I had the money so I offered it to her she's terribly broke and in debt it's so frightfully expensive living in London and having the two boys off in school she has a dreadful time she just can't make ends meet never could a sieve as far as money is concerned observed Sir Ian my sister Phyllis is the spoiled baby of the family she's been a widow long enough ought to get married again solve all her problems Meg laughed suppose she picked a poor man then you would be in the soup wouldn't you you'd have to support her husband too Sir Ian grunted and that younger brother of mine your uncle George his income no doubt he said well da the mines haven't been paying a great deal for several years Meg pointed out Uncle George has always been used to living like a gentleman of wealth and now he hasn't enough income to cover his expenses he keeps falling behind a little more each year just like Aunt Phyllis Sir Ian grunted again your uncle George might quit living like a gentleman of wealth a playboy to put it more accurately and go to work he remarked dryly I don't suppose you could let Aunt Phyllis and Uncle George have some money to tide them over could you da? Meg pleaded not a penny her father said with finality haven't got it to give they'll have to whistle for it somewhere else this time although Cherry could not help overhearing their conversation she did not like to be eavesdropping on the Barclays family affairs money problems were always embarrassing to people Sir Ian's younger brother and sister she gathered expected to live in Luxuringland on income from their shares in the Balfour mines apparently out of the present Barclays family the only one who was really interested in mines was Lloyd Meg had told her that Lloyd's father and mother had lived at Barclays house until their death in an earthquake when they were on a trip to the Pacific islands six years before Lloyd's father was next in age to Sir Ian who was the eldest in the family the two brothers had divided the operation of the mines between them they had made a wonderful team and his brother's death had been a terrible blow to Sir Ian I admire his courage trying to carry on alone Cherry thought Sir Ian's brother and sister are actually dependent on his operating the mines and they're always wanting money goodness knows how many other difficulties the poor man has I don't wonder he has ulcers maybe Lloyd will be of help to him if Sir Ian will let him that's the thing Cherry entered her own room and going into the bathroom washed her hands making a great splash of water so they would know that she had come upstairs when she came out Meg was just getting up from her chair in Sir Ian's bedroom here's Cherry, Meg said so I'll run along to the library da I promise to take over the story hour every afternoon is there anything you want me to bring you from the village? can't think of anything replied her father suppose you're going to stop by the hospital too trying to make me blush you old fraud cried Meg making a face at him you know perfectly well Douglas Mackenzie M.D. is coming here later staying on for dinner she blew a kiss to her father from the doorway and was gone the rest of the afternoon was quiet Higgins brought Cherry tea about six o'clock she had had lunch too late to eat anything although the little cakes and sandwiches looked very tempting at six thirty Lloyd came upstairs to look in on his uncle how's the old boy doing he whispered to Cherry all right she whispered back he hasn't complained of pain for some time Lloyd regarded Cherry concernedly you must be worn out he observed you've lost all that lovely red in your cheeks don't you want to lie down and get some rest before dinner because you're going to have dinner with us downstairs I've already asked Nora she's the housemaid to look in on uncle once in a while bossy type aren't you Lloyd Barclay Cherry teased him I'm perfectly fine but I think I could do with some air after I've seen the doctor I will take a walk outside if I'm not needed Doc's on his way up now Lloyd said a few minutes later Cherry had put on her brown suede jacket and gone outdoors for Dr. Mackenzie had not kept her she had a chance to examine the big house it sat near the edge of the cliffs on the east but there were gardens at the back and a greenhouse on the west side there was a garage and more gardens in front were lawns and shrubbery two gate posts although there was neither gate nor fence marked the entrance to the broad drive that curved before the front door the house was three stories high the tower was five stories Meg had told her that the servants quarters were on the third floor toward the rear the tower interested Cherry and she noticed that it could be entered from the outside there was a tiny door almost hidden by the masonry in the north wall on impulse Cherry tried the door but it was locked she walked idly up the hill toward the abandoned mine beyond was a little patch of balsam fur but upon the rounded hill nothing grew but stiff grass vines and bushes among Cherry was halfway up the hill went to her great surprise a man rose from one of the outcroppings and confronted her what are you doing here he demanded who are you my name is Cherry Ames I'm Sir Ian Barkley's nurse she replied I'm out for a walk that's all he apologized gruffly I'm Jock Cameron he told her that name mean anything to you it certainly does Cherry assured him you're the superintendent of the Balfour Mines and an old friend of Sir Ian in fact you and he grew up on Balfour she paused now let's see oh yes the Barkleys and the Camerons came over with 40 families to settle Balfour Island in 1750 the Camerons had been the trusted stewards of the Barkley lands for generations in Scotland at first Balfour Island was a fishing colony then when iron was discovered in 1800 stop before the breath of you goes out interrupt to Jock Cameron his men are becoming cordial you have heard of me I see that wheel Jock Cameron was a short stocky man dressed in fisherman's rough clothes a canvas tote bag which served as his creel hung over his shoulder although he had no other fishing gear with him he regarded Cherry steadily for a bit then with a quick gesture he pushed his hat to the back of his head revealing bushy ginger hair tell me nurse lass how sick is he he asked suddenly Sir Ian was desperately sick when they brought him into the hospital at Hilton Cherry said he didn't tell me that in his letter Mr Cameron said I know he didn't Cherry said he was better for him and mailed it he's better now he asked Cherry nodded yes quite a bit better good Jock Cameron said nodding with satisfaction with that he turned quickly and started away then stopping and wheeling around he came back did not say to anyone anyone at all you saw old Jock Cameron on the hill this night he said softly his eyes searched her face waiting for her answer what there was about the man that made her trust him suddenly Cherry did not know but she heard herself saying I won't tell he seemed satisfied and turning once more walked away out of sight over the crest of the hill late that night Cherry was to wonder if she had not been too hasty Sir Ian was asleep Cherry had gone into her own room for a while she stood at the window thinking how lovely it was outside the fog had lifted the sky was clear and the stars were out a movement on the front lawn caught her eye at first she thought it was a large dog crossing the lawn close to the shrubbery upon reaching the wall near the corner of the house the figure raised up and she realized it was a man who had been running crouched over now he ran along hugging the wall and was soon out of her range of vision she had the impression though that the man was Jock Cameron End of Chapter 7 Island Nurse