A Tall Ship / On Other Naval Occasions

seats in the shelter of the clipped hedg

One leg, encased in splints and bandages, was stiffly outstretched on a stool in front of him; his uniform cap

you. That was a bit of

ance across the lawn

t," said Betty, considering him prof

pretty fat. Fancy my lolling here in the sun, and you . . . and you--" he opened his eyes, regarding her as she stood before

hat," said Betty priml

t say '

say 'Nurs

er nurses you might conceivably say 'Nurse Elizabeth.' But even

ooked cautiously roun

So yo

added Betty severely, marching off

. "You dear," he said, "you dear!" He meditated awhile. "It's a rum world,

ere's Betty. . . . It's a rum world." He bent forward and gathered a daisy growing in the border beside

e doesn't. She doesn't," repeated th

regard him with one bright eye. Apparently re

hed. "Doesn't anybody lo

ray in her hands. The thrush, as if realising

-you must soak it in the beef-tea, and here is a little bell. If

ree gifts and laid them on the seat beside him. "Tha

must remember that this is a hospital, that you're

her footsteps. "Wouldn't it be awful if I was suddenly taken very ill indeed-if I came

plied Betty the Hospital Nurse, "such a thing wouldn't sur

it without enthusiasm. Tobacco tasted oddly flavourless and unfamiliar. Then he remembered his beef-tea and dran

ver," he said aloud.

windows of class-rooms, and were of frosted glass. With the aid of his crutches he got up unsteadily, and then, maintaining a precarious

this point, he lowered himself down gingerly over the seat until he was lying on his back with his legs in the air and his hea

of the lawn, and stopped ringing the bell to listen. He heard a faint cry in the distance, an

r backwards-are you hurt?" and kneeling beside him raised

ate the smell of marigolds too. No-please don't move; I'm very comfor

ame out to look . . . and then I ran. I ought to have called someone. Ring the

ned his eyes. "The seat

t h

t tipped-a

ll for one minute while I ru

fact, I wanted to

eaching for the bell w

ill you m

etty rose to her feet, astonishment and indignation joining forces to overcome lau

e-I don't believe it w

the Indiarubber Man from

y appeared in the distance, stood a moment in astonis

oming. I swear I won't be

panting. "What's up,

sped Bet

Man suffered him