Sweetapple Cove Read online

  CHAPTER IV

  _From Miss Helen Jelliffe to Miss Jane Van Zandt_

  _Dearest Aunt Jennie_:

  I did try so hard to get you to come on this cruise with us. You said youpreferred remaining in Newport to sharing in a wild journey to places onehas never heard of, and now I am compelled to recognize your superiorwisdom. I wish we had never heard of this dreadful hole. I am now reducedto the condition of a weepful Niobe, utterly helpless to contend againstthe sad trend of events. I know how much you disapprove of lingering,being such an active little body, and so I will tell you the worst atonce. Poor dear Daddy has just broken his leg, and, of all places, in themost forsaken hole and corner of this dreary island of Newfoundland.

  Daddy has always boasted of his perseverance in the pursuit of theunusual in sport. This time he found it with a vengeance. Our mate, whohails from these parts, once told him of this place, and implied that thesalmon in the little river running down into this cove would take a flywhether awake or asleep, and jostled one another for the privilege. WhileDaddy is rather fond of a gun, you and I know that there are only twoweapons he is really absorbed in. I suppose that the first is theinstrument he uses to cut off coupons with, and the next is his salmonrod, which I would like to break into little pieces, for it has been thecause of turning our long bowsprit towards this horrid jumble of rock andsea. I considered that we were lucky to have found our way intoSweetapple Cove without any particular disaster, but of course such luckcould not last long.

  We ought never to have come any way, for our skipper, the descendant ofVikings, had implied that our schooner was in need of all sorts ofrepairs, and that sensible people did not start off on long cruises justafter months in Florida which had converted the ship's bottom into a sortof vegetable garden. Daddy consoled him by telling him he could leave usthere and go off to St. John's to the dry-dock.

  You know how pleasantly Daddy speaks to people, and how they detect underhis words a firmness which effectively prevents long discussion.Stefansson is really a racing skipper, but he likes his berth on the_Snowbird_ and said nothing more. We reached this place where, for lackof level ground, the few houses use all sorts of stilts and crutches, andinvaded the village to the intense amazement of the populace and itsdogs.

  Then came Daddy's genius for organization. Within two hours we had renteda little house for next to nothing a week, furnished it in sixty minuteswith odds and ends from the yacht, including our little brass bedsteads,which the people here firmly believe to be pure gold, A wild daughter ofthe Cove, a descendant of the family that gave it its extraordinary name,was engaged as a general servant. Daddy's valet and the cook had weptwhen they saw the place, and Father informed them that they were rubbishand might go back with the _Snowbird_, which presently sailed off for thescraping it appears to be entitled to.

  Daddy at once selected a rod with all the care such affairs of staterequire, and set forth across the cove with two natives, in a dory. Theywent ashore on the banks of the little river and began to clamber over aterrific jumble of rocks. A salmon was caught so quickly that Father grewboyish with enthusiasm and capered over more rocks.

  And then came the accident, Aunt Jennie, and I am still shaky, andtearful, and though I try to write like a normal human being I amdesirous of shrieking. There was just a slip and a fall, and a footcaught between two boulders. Poor Daddy was dragged from the swift waterinto which he had been wading and placed in the bottom of the dory, amost damp and smelly ambulance.

  Of course I dashed down to the shore as soon as people came to tell mewhat had happened, and naturally I got into everybody's way. It wasstrange to see how these very rough-looking men took hold of poor Daddy.They were just as gentle as could be, and made an arrangement offish-carrying barrows upon which they lifted him up and brought him tothe house.

  I was weeping all this time and Daddy consoled me by telling me not to bea fool. Susie, our new handmaiden, simply howled. We were bundled out,chiefly by Daddy's language, and clamored for a doctor. It actuallytranspired that there was one in the place, to my infinite relief. Thefact that he was gone to a little island away out at sea appeared to bebut an insignificant detail. An ancient mariner whom Coleridge must havebeen acquainted with promised to go and bring him back. If the weatherdid not turn out too badly he would return in three or four hours. Heinformed me that it was beginning to look very nasty outside. It alwaysdoes, in such cases, I believe.

  I spent the afternoon trying to do all I could for Daddy, andoccasionally climbed up on the cliff nearly adjoining our house, to watchfor the boat. An abominable fog began to come up, rolling before adreadful wind, and I moistened more handkerchiefs, since it was perfectlyevident to me that no small boat would ever return to land in such ablow. Susie told me that I must not despair, and that people did reallymanage to work fishing boats in such weather, sometimes. I considered herto be a cheerful prevaricator, and told her she didn't know what she wastalking about. At this she curtsied humbly and assented with the "Yis,ma'am" of the lowly, and all I could do was to keep on despairing.

  It was really the most dismal afternoon I ever spent, and when it beganto get dark I gave up all hope. After I had become thoroughly saturatedwith misery Susie came to me, grinning.

  "I's heerd men a comin'," she told me. "Like as not it's th' doctor."

  I dashed out of the front door and met two dreadful looking creatures inoilskins. As one of them was the ancient mariner I made up my mind he hadfailed in his mission. But the other stared at me for an instant, quietlystepped on the few planks we call the porch, and began to shed his outerskin, which fell with a flop.

  "Are you the doctor?" I finally asked him.

  He bowed, very civilly, followed me into the house, and the other manplacidly sat down on the porch, while the slanting rain rattled on hisarmour. I need hardly tell you that these people are as amphibious asmanatees.

  Once within doors I scrutinized the doctor. He was a rather nice tallchap with hair showing slightly the dearth of barbers in Sweetapple Cove,a fact Daddy had informed himself of, for I had seen him lookingdisconsolately at a safety razor. This man was also rather badlyunshaven, and a blue flannel shirt with a sodden string of a necktieformed part of his apparel. I have seen healthy longshoremen rather moreneatly garbed. I'm afraid that at first I was badly disappointed.

  I stood at the door of father's room, which is also the parlor and diningroom, hesitating foolishly. At last I asked the man to come in.

  "Daddy dear, here is the doctor," I said.

  You know that father does not consider himself merely as a tax-payer, anda connoisseur in split bamboos. He prides himself upon his knowledge ofmen and, before trusting himself to this one, had to study him carefully.I could see that he was taken a little by surprise.

  "Er--er," he hesitated, "are you a physician, sir?"

  "Appearances are deceptive in these jumping-off places," answered theyoung man. "I possess a diploma or two, and such knowledge as I have isentirely at your service."

  He didn't really seem to be at all embarrassed. His look was rather apleasant one, after all, and suddenly I became inspired with confidence.I think Daddy was impressed in the same way.

  "I'm in an awful fix," he announced. "I am quite sure that my leg isbroken, and of course it requires the very best attention. I can affordto take no chances with it and need a first-class man. Are you quitesure...?"

  The doctor sat down by the bed, quietly, and appeared to look at Daddyunderstandingly. He doubtless realized that he was in the presence ofone of those men whose success in life, together with the possession ofgrand-parents, causes them to regard themselves as endowed with thecombined wisdom of the law and the prophets. I am quite sure that he alsodetected the big fund of common sense which lurks in the keen grey eyesunder Daddy's bushy eye-brows.

  "You have my deepest sympathy, Mr. Jelliffe," he began. "I need hardlypoint out the fact that I am the only doctor available. I am going to domy very best for you. They have some very good men
in St. John's, and wemay be able to get one of them to come down here, in a few days, to lookover my work. In the meanwhile your leg must be attended to so that nofurther harm will be done. Let us have a look at it."

  "I'll have to trust you," said Daddy, very soberly.

  "Of course you will have to, Daddy," I put in. "You must be very good.When you move your poor leg hurts you dreadfully, and the doctor will fixit so that it won't be so painful."

  I stood at the head of the bed and poor Daddy allowed me to stroke hishand, a thing he usually resents. I know that he was in great pain andfeared other unknown tortures. The poor man looked at the tall doctor'sbig hands as if he deemed them instruments of potential torture. Onereally couldn't blame him for having scant confidence in a man whosebusiness appears to be the care of this poverty-stricken population.

  The doctor was pulling off his heavy pea-jacket and appeared in dark blueflannel which revealed very capable shoulders. They reminded me of HarryLawrence. The ancient mariner came in with a bag he had been sent for. Hehad also deposited his oilskins on the porch and respected otherconventionalities by removing his great muddy boots and entering the roomin huge flaming scarlet socks, neatly darned with white yarn. He smiledblandly at Daddy.

  "Hope you is feelin' some better, sir," he said. "Don't you be talkin',for if you isn't t'won't be no time afore you is. You're sure in luck ashow I could bring him, an' I'll jist lay yer a quintal as how he's goin'to fix yer shipshape."

  Then there was a knock at the door and a dripping woman entered. Therewas not the slightest trace of timidity in her manner. Really, AuntJennie, I thought at first that she was the most awful frump I had everseen. Her head was wrapped in a soaking little shawl, and her dress was aremnant of grand-mother's days. Yet the poise of her head, the pleasantsmile upon her face and, more than all, her delightful voice, gave animmediate hint of infinitely good breeding.

  "Can't I help?" she asked. "I'd be awfully glad to. I should have been inbefore but I was detained at the Burtons'. Had to look after the womanduring your absence, Dr. Grant."

  "I beg to introduce the providence of Sweetapple Cove," said the doctor."Mrs. Barnett is the one person who proves the vulgar error that none ofus is indispensable."

  She threw off her shawl, laughing.

  "The doctor and I often hunt in couples," she explained.

  Her voice was really the most delightful thing you ever heard. I forgother clothes, and her big boots, and went up to her, holding out my hand.

  "Won't you let me take your shawl?" I asked. "It is sopping wet."

  "I had an umbrella when I first came here," she said, "but it blew overthe cliffs long ago. Thanks, ever so much. And now what can I do?"

  "You are always on hand when help is needed, Mrs. Barnett," said thedoctor. "Thank you for coming. I shall need you in a minute."

  She gave him a quick little friendly nod and went to the bed.

  "I hope that you are not suffering too much," she told Daddy. "Dr. Grantwill have you all right in a jiffy."

  "Thank you, madam," said Daddy, staring at her.

  The doctor had been pulling endless things out of his bag. For all oftheir size his hands showed a quality of gentle firmness that was quitesurprising and Daddy, under his ministrations, appeared to become lessapprehensive.

  "Now, Mrs. Barnett," directed Dr. Grant. "One hand under the knee, if youplease, and the other should hold the heel. That's the way."

  Rapidly he wound some cotton batting about the injured limb. Daddy hadgiven one awful groan when his leg was pulled straight, but now hewatched the winding of bandages and the application of plaster of Pariswithout saying a word. The doctor finally rubbed the whole thing smooth.

  "That's all right now," he said. "We will let the leg down again."

  Between them they gently lowered the limb upon a hollowed pillow, andDaddy looked much relieved.

  "That is all for the present," said the doctor. "I hope we didn't hurtyou too much, Mr. Jelliffe."

  "I think it will be easier now," admitted Daddy. "I can't say that youmade me suffer very much. I am obliged to you, and also to you, madam."

  She treated him to a gentle, motherly smile, and grabbed her old wetshawl again.

  "I'd be ever so glad to stay with you all night," she said, "butunfortunately one of my kiddies is teething and wants me rather badly.May I call in the morning?"

  By this time father was utterly captured.

  "You would be ever so kind," he said. "I can hardly thank yousufficiently."

  She refused proffers of umbrellas and water-proofs, laughingly sayingthat she could not reach home much wetter than she was, and disappeared.

  "Our parson's wife, Miss Jelliffe," explained Dr. Grant, "and the nearestthing to a blessing that Sweetapple Cove has ever known, I should say."

  "She must be," I assented. "She is perfectly charming."

  Then he went in the next room, where the mariner was waiting, sitting ina chair and contemplating his red socks.

  "We're off again to-morrow morning to Will's Island," said the doctor."Just let Frenchy know, will you? We shall start as soon as possibleafter I have found out how Mr. Jelliffe has passed the night."

  "Aye, aye, sir," replied the old man, lifting a gnarled hand to histousled locks.

  The doctor looked around him. His big frame seemed to relax, and acompelling yawn forced him to lift his hand to his mouth. Then he came inagain.

  "Good night, Mr. Jelliffe," he said. "I'll be here the first thing in themorning. You may take this little tablet if the pain is severe, but don'ttouch it unless you are really compelled to."

  Daddy stretched out his hand, in a very friendly way, and he certainlylooked approvingly at the young man. Then I accompanied the latter to theouter door. It was still raining and the wind blew hard.

  "Good night, Miss Jelliffe," he bade me. "Your father's injury is quite asimple one and I have no doubt we shall obtain a good result."

  He picked up his oilskins and put them on again.

  "Thank you," was all I could find to say. His long steps rapidly carriedhim away and he disappeared in the misty blackness.

  When I returned the old fisherman, whose name is Sammy, was standing byfather's bed.

  "It seems to me," complained Daddy, "that he might have offered to staywith me all night. I call it rather inconsiderate of him."

  "We is fixed fer that, sir," asserted Captain Sammy. "I be goin' ter staywid' yer. I'll jist set down by the stove and, case I should git tersleep, jist bawl out or heave somethin' at me. First I'll go an' git abite er grub, jist a spud er two an' a dish o' tea; likely th' old womanhas some brooze fer me, waitin'. I'll be back so soon ye'll hardly know Ibeen gone."

  He looked at us, his kindly old face lighting up into a smile. Then hepointed with a stubby thumb in the direction the doctor had taken.

  "He've been up three nights a-savin' Dick Will's arm, as means the livin'o' he and the woman an' seven young 'uns. I mistrust he'll maybe fallasleep a-walkin' less he hurries. 'Tis a feelin' I knows, keepin' longwatches on deck when things goes hard."

  "But I can watch my father," I protested.

  "So yer could, fer a fact," he admitted, "but yer couldn't run out handyan' fetch doctor, so I might as well stay here an' ye kin do a job ofsleepin'."

  As he hurried out Susie came in from the kitchen, buxom and rosy ofcheek.

  "Th' kittle's biled ef you is ready," she announced. "Yer must bea-perishin' fer a sup an' a bite."

  I shall have to stop now, Aunt Jennie dear, and goodness knows when thiswill reach you, as mails are very movable feasts.

  But it has been a comfort to write, and I was too nervous and excited togo to sleep, for a long time. I really think I ought to go to bed now.That doctor is really a very nice young man, and I just love Mrs.Barnett. Any one would.

  Please write as often as possible, for now we are prisoners for goodnessknows how long in this place, and your letters will be worth their weightin precious stones. Tell me all that is h
appening. Have you heard fromHarry Lawrence lately?

  Your lovingHELEN.