CHAPTER XXII 



BEDS FOR THE HOSPITAL ESKIMO PATIENTS FEEDING 

 THE SICK FOLKS 



summer of 1004 saw the hospital finally 



_ launched in full going order, for among the 

 many things that the Harmony brought were the 

 bedsteads and bedding for the wards. I dare say the 

 sight of so many long packing-cases awoke some 

 speculation in the minds of the people, and perhaps 

 our servant girl only voiced what was in the minds 

 of many when she asked what they were. 



She was a bright and active Eskimo girl of eighteen, 

 rejoicing in the picturesque name of Veronica, and 

 she touched my arm as the boxes came lumbering up 

 the steps, and said " Hai, sunat ukkoa ? " 



"What are they, Veronica? why, these are the 

 bedsteads." 



" Bedsteads ? " this with a puzzled air. 



" Ahaila, beds for the sick people." 



" Sogle (but why) ? there are no sick people : 

 old Emilia is the only person in bed, and she is not 

 sick, only old." 



I tried to explain to her that these bedsteads 

 were to be put into the wards in readiness for any 

 possible sick persons during the future. 



" Ai, ai," she said, " are there going to be sick 

 people ? Who will it be ? " 



I could not help feeling amused at the simplicity 



of her reasoning, it was so thoroughly Eskimo ; but 



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