ix troops of the --th Cavalry among others had arrived, and the doctor,
with a quizzical grin on his genial face, informed his patient that some
Red Cross nurses were with the command, and that two very nice-looking
young women, in their official caps, aprons, and badges, were at that
moment inquiring at the office if they could not see the invalid officer
and be of some service to him.

Sore in body and spirit, wrathful at the fate that robbed him of a share
of the glory he felt sure awaited his comrades at Manila, Stuyvesant was
in no humor for a joke and plainly showed it. He gave it distinctly to
be understood that he needed no coddling of any kind and preferred not
to see the ladies, no matter what they belonged to. Not to put too fine
a point upon it, Mr. Stuyvesant said he didn't "wish to be bothered,"
and this was practically the reply that reached two very earnest,
kind-hearted young women, for the attendant, scenting the possible loss
of a big fee if he should be supplanted by superior attractions,
communicated the invalid's exact words to the Red Cross nurses, and they
went back, wounded, to their ship.

Stuyvesant's room was on the ground-floor in one of the outlying
cottages, and its Venetian blinds opened on the broad and breezy
veranda. It was far more quiet and retired than apartments in the main
building, the rooms overhead being vacant and the occupants of that
which adjoined his having left for San Francisco within a day or two of
his coming.

"I feel too forlorn to see anybody," was his explanation to the doctor.
"So don't let anybody in." But several officers from the transport got
leave to come ashore and take quarters at the Hawaiian. The rooms above
had to be given to them, and their resounding footsteps made him wince.

"There's two ladies to take this next-door room," said his garrulous
attendant that afternoon, and Stuyvesant thought opprobrious things.
"They'll be giggling and talking all night, I suppose," said he
disgustedly when the "medico" came in late that afternoon. "I wish you'd
move me, if you can't them."

The doctor went and consulted the head of the house. "Certainly," said
that affable Boniface. "If Mr. Stuyvesant is well enough to be carried
up one flight I can give him a larger, airier room with bath attached,
where he'll be entirely isolated. It was too expensive for our visitors
from the transports, but--I believe you said Mr. Stuyvesant--wouldn't
mind"--a tentative at w