Illustration: General Ward of the Danforth Memorial Hospital]

III

WINNING FRIENDS IN AMERICA

In 1907, after eleven years of almost unceasing labour, during four of
which she had carried the growing work at Kiukiang entirely alone, except
for the help of the nurses whom she herself had trained, Dr. Stone
reluctantly laid down her beloved work for a few months. During the winter
of 1906 she had a severe attack of illness which she herself diagnosed as
appendicitis, and for which she directed treatment which brought her
relief. But renewed attacks finally convinced her and her friends that she
must submit to an operation if her life was to be saved. It was decided
that she should go to an American hospital, for as a fellow physician
located at another station of the mission wrote, "We all have a very high
regard for her and her work, and wanted her to get the best that could be
had." Moreover, it was a good opportunity to get her "away from China for a
much-needed change and rest."

Accordingly Dr. Stone, accompanied by her friend, Miss Hughes of the
Kiukiang mission, sailed from Shanghai, February 9. President Roosevelt,
who was acquainted with her work and knew of her serious condition, had a
telegram sent to the Commissioner of Immigration at San Francisco, giving
instructions that the Chinese physician be admitted with no delay or nerve
strain. She was therefore passed at once, with all consideration and all
possible help.

From San Francisco Dr. Stone went straight to the Wesleyan Hospital in
Chicago, that she might be under Dr. Danforth's care. The operation was
entirely successful, and early in April, less than a month after reaching
America, she was sufficiently recovered to take the trip to Miss Hughes'
home in New Jersey, where she was to rest for a few weeks.

Complete rest, however, was an impossibility to Dr. Stone, even during her
convalescence, so long as there was any service she could render. Two weeks
after her arrival Miss Hughes wrote Dr. Danforth that "our little doctor"
was accompanying her to several of the meetings which she was addressing,
and was "making friends right and left for her work." Boxes of instruments,
pillows, and spreads for the hospital beds, a baby organ for the hospital,
the support of a nurse, and other useful things were being promised by
these new friends. "Her smiling face, with no word from her even, is a
wonderful revelation to people who judge the Chinese by