Rhamon/Chapter 16

by Heluiz Chandler Washburne

Chapter XVI

All Is Well for Rhamon

Rhamon was having such a good time visit ing his uncle that he almost forgot the real reason he had come to Lahore. But one morning the great doctor arrived in the little brass shop.

"I have heard from the Rajah," he told Rhamon's uncle. "And now I have come to take this young man to the hospital."

A chill raced down Rhamon's spine. The hospital! But when he looked up and saw the kindly eyes smiling at him, he was no longer afraid. He put his hand into the big doctor's, and felt quite willing to go with him anywhere, even to the hospital.

"You are in good hands, Rhamon," said his uncle. "You have nothing to fear." Then he gave Rhamon a small flat box. "It is a present from the American Sahib. He told me to give it to you the day that you went to the hospital."

Rhamon tore open the box and there lay the thing he had most wished for—the beautiful American penknife! "This will be my good-luck," he thought, and with a sigh of happiness, put it into his pocket.

Everything about the hospital was strange to Rhamon, the clean strong smell of the place, the nurses, the doctors, and the high bed with the white sheets, on which he slept. But his bright smile won him many friends and soon he felt quite happy.

The next day, the doctor said he must operate on Rhamon's foot. The nurses wheeled him into the special room where the big doctor stood ready, all dressed in white.

But Rhamon was not afraid. "See, I have my good-luck with me," he said, smiling and opening his hand to show the doctor his American penknife.

"Yes, you are right," said the doctor, smiling too. "Your good-luck will be with you." The nurse put a mask over his face and told him to breathe deep. A queer smell filled his nostrils. After that, Rhamon did not know anything more till he found himself back in bed with his foot wrapped up in yards and yards of bandages.

For many days he stayed in the hospital, but when he finally left with his uncle, he walked out on two good solid feet, as good and strong as any boy's in India!

"I think my penknife did bring me good luck," said Rhamon reaching into his pocket to make sure it was still there.

"Yes, perhaps it did," said his uncle, "but you must not forget to give thanks to Allah, for the kindness of the Rajah and the skill of the great doctor."

Rhamon nodded his head and walked on, glad to be out again in the fresh air and sunshine.