"You are a Noble Little Girl"
"We live in deeds, not years, in thoughts, not breaths;
In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives
Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best."
--_Philip James Bailey._
"I am aware of the fact," was Doctor Raymond's reply. "How did you hear
of it, Doctor Black?"
"Why, Raymond, is that you? What in the world brought you here? I tacked
up a sign today to keep idiots out. It did not have the desired effect,
it seems."
Beatrice felt her face flush at the words, but there was a laugh in her
father's voice as he responded:
"I have a daughter in there, doctor, who may take exception to that
remark."
"Your daughter? What is she doing there? Didn't you know any better
than to let her go to such a place? I have been busy all day vaccinating
people, and taking means to prevent the disease from spreading. It is
just such things that undo a physician's precautions. Why did you permit
it?"
"I was not consulted in the matter," was the response. "My daughter came
down with food for Rachel, and finding her alone remained to be of
service."
"Good gracious, what could she do? Tillie left as soon as she found what
was the matter. Nobody knows where the old woman contracted the disease.
I brought Hannah here with me to nurse her. She has had it and therefore
is not afraid of it. I must say, though, that I hadn't bargained for
this complication. Has Beatrice had it?"
"I think not, doctor."
"Then she must be gotten out of there. Come, Hannah! We will go in now."
"I fear that you will find some difficulty in doing so, doctor. Beatrice
has locked the door to keep me out."
"Thunderation!" exclaimed the doctor. "I can't be delayed by any such
nonsense. Open this door," he commanded pounding upon it with his
fists.
The door rattled violently under his vigorous shaking. Bee knew that she
must open it, but she resolved to win the doctor to her side if
possible.
"Doctor Black," she called.
"Well? Are you going to keep me out here all night, young lady?" he
demanded bluntly. "I've had a busy day, and I want to get home. Quit
your fooling, and unlock this door."
"Yes, doctor; but do you think it wise for father to come in? Promise to
keep him out and I'll open it. Otherwise,--" The pause was so
significant that the physician chuckled.
"He shan't come in, child. If he does I'll vaccinate him in four
places," he declared energetically. "You hear, Raymond?"
"I hear, doctor, and accept the condition. If I did not that 'otherwise'
means that Beatrice will fight it out on the stand she has taken if it
takes all night."
"Your father will stay out, Miss Beatrice. Now open the door."
Beatrice gladly obeyed. The physician entered briskly, followed by a
tall colored woman.
"Well, Miss Bee," he said genially with a searching glance at her pale
face, "you've had rather a siege of it, haven't you? How long have you
been here?"
"All this afternoon," answered Bee, conscious all at once of being very
tired. She sat down suddenly, and asked weakly: "What are you going to
do?"
"To vaccinate you, my young lady," was the response. "Hoity Toity!" as
the girl turned pale. "What's this? Why, you're not afraid, are you?
Tut, tut! Don't you know that it takes more courage to stay for hours
with a woman with the small pox that to endure a little scratch?"
"I am not afraid," faltered Bee who was trembling excessively.
"I see." The physician patted her hand reassuringly. "Why did you stay
here, child? There was nothing you could do for Rachel."
"Nothing but to give her a drink. She was so thirsty."
"You don't mean that you raised her head and gave her water, do you?"
exclaimed he in surprise.
"Why, of course. How else could she drink?" asked Bee. "She couldn't
raise it herself."
"Weren't you a bit afraid?" Doctor Black had rolled up her sleeve, and
was selecting a vaccine point carefully.
"At first I was; then I was sorry for her. I might look just as bad if I
should have it, you know."
"You are not going to have it, my dear," he said brusquely. "Now give me
that arm. All ready. Just a scratch, and it is over. Well, bless my
soul! Raymond!"
For Beatrice had quietly fainted away. When consciousness returned to
her the sweet freshness of the summer night was about her; the soft
darkness enveloped her like a mantle, and she was being borne along
carefully in someone's arms. For a time she lay, content to be still in
the encircling arms, but as she became more herself wonder crept into
her heart, and she put up her hand and touched the face above her.
"Father?" she whispered.
"Yes, my daughter."
"How came I here, and why do you carry me?"
"I am taking you home, Beatrice. You fainted. Do you not remember?"
"Oh, yes." The girl was silent for a moment, and then she asked, "did
you go in the cabin?"
"I did, Beatrice. I went after you, but do not be alarmed. Dr. Black
made me submit to vaccination. I have been exposed many times, and have
no fear of the disease."
"You are sure, father?"
"Yes, my daughter."
Once more there was silence, but presently the girl's attention was
attracted by his labored breathing.
"You must not carry me. I am too heavy," she cried slipping from his
arms to the ground.
"Are you strong enough to walk, child? It is only the heat that makes me
pant; not your weight."
"I am quite strong enough," answered Bee, but he still kept his arm
about her, and so they proceeded homeward. Once more Beatrice broke the
stillness, the darkness giving her courage.
"You were good to come to me tonight, father. I haven't deserved it.
Oh! you don't know how bad I have felt about losing that butterfly."
"Never mind about it, Beatrice. I think we each have something to
forgive the other. I have my confession to make also. I have judged you
wrongly in many ways. There are many things that are becoming plain to
me. I can only excuse myself by saying that I was more ignorant of the
nature of a girl than even I knew. Can you forgive me?"
"There is nothing to forgive, father," cried Bee quickly, not quite
comprehending his meaning but grasping the fact that they were to be
friends.
"You are generous, Beatrice. But here we are at home. Go to your room,
change your clothes and bring them to me as I wish to burn them. We are
going to use every precaution against the spread of the disease, and
while I am vaccinating the servants, you must go directly to bed. The
afternoon has been a severe tax upon you."
"I am not a bit tired now," said Bee, who was happier than she had been
for a long time.
"You do not realize the strain that you have been under, my daughter."
"Adele!" exclaimed Bee coming to a standstill. "Ought we to go in,
father?"
"Adele is not here," answered he tersely. "She left for home as I went
after you."
"I am glad of it," sighed Bee with relief. "Then there won't be the
least doubt about her safety. Aren't you glad, too, father?"
"Yes;" replied William Raymond shortly, and there was that in his voice
which kept the girl from saying anything more. It was long before she
knew of the conversation between her father and her cousin.
"Good-night, my daughter," said Doctor Raymond with unwonted emotion,
drawing her to him as she brought him the clothing as he desired, and
prepared to withdraw to her own room. "I wonder if you realize what you
have done today?"
"Yes;" answered Bee, looking up quickly, but her alarm subdued as she
saw the light in his eyes. "I have done my level best to give every one
in the house small pox; but, father, I'll--"
"There, child! go to bed and forget all about it. You are a noble little
girl." Bending forward he kissed her tenderly.
Wondering and happy the girl retired, almost incredulous of the joy that
had come to her.