While all of this was happening in a bar near the harbour, Charlotte’s father was in his bed, crippled, his body aching. The doctor, at his side, was looking at him with pity.
As you can imagine, it was not his wife who called the doctor; it was Charlotte. Stepmother was not at home- she had gone out with a young fellow, of whom the neighbourhood was whispering not-so-honourable things.
-I’ve never seen anything like this… the doctor said. His heart is seriously affected…
-Will he live? Charlotte whispered, scared.
-I can’t tell yet
The expression of his face was not all that encouraging.
-Doctor… Louise asked him, you’ve traveled the sea to bring relief to African children. Do you happen to know a sailor by the name of Jerry Harper?
-I don’t recall this name, little lady, but I’ll see what I can do. There is a bar in the harbour-all sailors go there.
The next morning,at the harbour, a red-haired young girl with freckles on her cheeks opened the bar door. She looked as if she had traveled a long way.