Norine's
wardrobe offered little to choose from, but between them they
reduced a nurse's uniform to fit the smaller figure. Meanwhile,
with a rapidity and a thoroughness delightful to both of them, the
two girls came to know each other.
While O'Reilly was similarly engaged in making himself
presentable, he and Branch talked earnestly, with the result that
they repaired later to General Gomez.
The general welcomed them; he listened with interest to O'Reilly's
story of the rescue, and to the account of conditions in Matanzas.
O'Reilly concluded by saying:
"I've done what I came to do, sir, but Miss Varona is badly shaken
by all she has been through. She's very nervous and far from well.
Esteban, too, isn't recovering."
General Gomez nodded. "Miss Evans declares he must have a change,
and we have arranged to send him out of the country. His sister,
poor child, should go, too."
"When can they leave?"
"Who knows? Not for some time, certainly. Expeditions are
irregular."
"They should go at once," O'Reilly said, positively. "That's why
we came to see you. Let us--Branch and me--take all three of them
to the United States."
"You, too, El Demonio?" inquired the general.
"Yes, sir; if you please."
"But how? How can you take two women and a sick man-
"We'll manage somehow," O'Reilly declared.
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