I know you would like to see the
nurse's letter written from the hospital, and I
also send you one from the major of his regiment
who used to know me years ago. I know
you will be a brave boy and bear this trouble
like a man. Tell Dudley to write to me by
the first post to tell me you have got the letters
safely.
"Your loving aunt,
"JULIA BERTRAM."
The letter dropped from Roy's grasp, and he flung himself down on the
beach face foremost.
Dudley sat staring out at the sea without speaking. The blow had fallen
so heavily, and so unexpectedly, that speech was not forthcoming.
At last Roy looked up.
"You read the other letters to me, Dudley," he said, in a choked voice.
And Dudley, with a good deal of hesitation and effort interrupted by
tears, read out as follows:
"DEAR MADAM:
"I have been asked to write to you
about Robert White who I am sorry to say
was brought into the military hospital the
other day dangerously wounded. He lingered
three days and was perfectly conscious up to
the last. I never saw a braver or more patient
lad. He told me all about your goodness to
him, and his devotion to a little nephew of
yours was most touching.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169