She smiled at the sight of the girls.
"Pardon, Senoritas!" she murmured, as Cora and her chums entered the
room. "I am so sorry that I give you ze trouble. It is too bad--I
am confused at my poor weakness. But I--I--"
"You needn't apologize one bit!" burst out Cora, generously. "I'm
sure you need the rest."
"Yes, Senorita, I was weary--so very weary. It is good--to rest."
"I think you had better have a little more broth," suggested Mrs.
Kimball. "Then Dr. Blake will be here, and can say whether it would
be wise to give you something more solid. You must have been quite
hungry," she added, gently.
"I--I was, Senora--very hungry," and taking the hand of Mrs. Kimball
in her own thin, brown one, the girl imprinted a warm kiss on it.
"Do you feel well enough to talk?" asked Cora. "These are my
friends. They expect to go to Sea Horse Island soon. You mentioned
that, just before you fainted, and--"
"Yes, Senorita, I did. Oh! if I could find someone to take me zere--I
would do anyzing! I would serve zem all, my life--I would work my
fingers to ze bare bones--I would--"
A flood of emotion seemed to choke her words.
"We'll help you all we can," interrupted Cora. "Why are you so
anxious to go there?"
"Because my father--my dear father--he is prisoner zere, and if I go
zere, I can free him!" and the girl clasped her hands in an appealing
gesture.
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