Page:Arthur Stringer - The Door of Dread.djvu/341

 fact, the second nurse to be called in. The first one, she had been told at the register in Strong's drug-store, had been unceremoniously bundled back within the hour of her arrival. The sick woman had disliked her personality. And Miss Poole, being still young and ardent, did not wish to share her fate. So, nursing a human distaste for defeat, she squared her young shoulders to the situation with the solemn cheerfulness of youth.

"Wouldn't you like a little air in here?" was her gently persuasive suggestion as she turned to open her hand-bag.

The scarcely discernible figure on the bed did not move.

"Are yuh the new nurse?" asked a weak and quavering voice.

Miss Poole, as she buckled on her fragile armor of nurse's gingham, acknowledged that she was. Then she crossed to the windows. But a sudden command arrested her.

"I don't want those shutters opened!" called out the querulous-voiced woman on the bed.

The newcomer stood thoughtful for a moment or two. "But I think we could do much better with a little light," She spoke softly; but it was the