The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-03-06

saw the little procession from the
upper window. arriving by the
main driveway between the rows
Of mud-soaked hibiscus first Fern
and Smiley, and then Miss Hodge
clinging like child to the hand
of a woman whom he did not at
first recognize. All his interest
concentrated upon the figure in
the calico dress. and as 1t came
nearer he saw that 1t was Lady
Esketh. whom he had never seen
before save immaculate. smooth as
porcelain. and covered with jewels.
II was an odd meeting. Little
Smiley quite Unexpectedly put his
arms about the big major and
embraced him as II he had been
a little boy found after having
been thought dead. The ma or
Rugged him suddenly. lifting him
quite off the floor.
Then Smiley said. Lady Esketh
has come TO see about the burial
of her husband. And Fern thought
she might be of use"
y can work, too" said Lady
Esketh. I'm perfectly strong"
u too" echoed Miss Hodge. still
holding Lady Esketh's hand. I'm
strong as an OK"
For a second the ma or looked
sharply at Lady Esketh. His eyes
met hers and he saw that she was
looking at him defianty, boldly.
as If she were saying. You think
I'm fool. Well. I'm not. I've
got as fine and strong body as
your own. And when / choose TO
be I'm as clever as you are
The look, its meaning so clear,
astonished him so that he didn't
speak for a moment. He had not
expected to find this bold conf
dence In her OF all people. The
color appeared in his tired face
and he said. "Ill go and find Miss
MaeDaid. She's the one TO talk TO.
I can't offer you chairs because
there aren't any, They've all been
taken away TO make ROOM"
He left them standing among
the sick. and at last found Miss
MacDaid at the far end of the
maternity ward, where she had
gone for a second TO direct two
Untouchsble women in the task
of sweeping out the mud and max
ing it once more habitable. With
her eyes on the two women she
listened TO him, and when he had
told his news. she turned 10 him.
as he had suspected she would.
and said, abruptly. They'll be
more trouble than they're worth.
What do any Of them know about
anything Better send them back
to the mission"
He too had thought that on
sight of them. but now he was
not quite certain.
They don't know anything
any Of them" Miss MacDsid con-
tinued. None Of them can speak
Hindustani but Miss Hodge. and
now that Miss Dirks is gone shelf
be nothing but nuisance"
He didn't yield entirely. I'VE
might give them a try. II they
can do anything. even scrub the
floor or carry water 10 the wards
:. We need them desperately"
She softened little. Maybe
you're right. III come along in a
minute"
Al shutdown Rsnsome and Smiley
who. in the meanwhile. had been
To the horrible desolation Of the
Cntouehsble quarter. appeared at
the hospital 10 fetch Lady Esketh
for the funeral of the great Lord
Esketh. They found her bathing
Bunys child Of ten whom the
major had operated upon for
tumor two days before the flood.
ITS only an affair Of min
ute" said Mr.. Smiley. Just the
reading Of the service,
Very we'll"
She pushed the black hair back
out of the eyes Of the child and
passed a damp cloth over his face.
Then she arose. and taking up the
basin and towels, she said, Shall
we go7"
Together they walked past the
great tank through the ruined
streets Of the bazaar, until they
came 10 the park of the shattered