by Mary Wingfield Bell
Chapter Ten -
"Please come by my house," she begged.
When Grandpa got back in the car, he agreed to take Delight to
her friend's house. Delight rarely ever visited anyone but Grandpa
thought this was a good time.
The girls spent about two hours together, stringing beads and
watching television but mostly they just talked. Nella's mother
came in and heard the friends talking about Delight's healing that
was to take place soon.
"Delight," she said, "next month there is an evangelist coming
to the civic auditorium in Clintsville. This man of God prays for
the sick. Many people recover. I heard tell that blind people have
received their sight under his ministry. The lame walk - just get
up out of their wheelchairs." Mrs. Pump was hopeful for
Delight.
"Really!" said Delight. She was very much interested.
"Yes. I believe it's true," said Nella's mother."I'd be glad
to take you to the meeting, that is, if your grandparents
approve."
"Good ganders!" returned Delight. "I would really like to
go. "
The girl could hardly wait to tell Grandpa and Grandma. She
would go to the meeting and get healed. Wow she thought.
On the way to the house in the hollow, she told Grandpa. He
agreed that it was a good idea. Grandma was pleased to hear about
the preacher who helped people get their healing from God. The
best thing that could happen to Delight was for her to be normal
and walk again.
The Capley girl was so excited but her grandmother noticed the
girl was tired and insisted that she go to bed right away.
About midnight Delight called her grandmother, "Grandma, come
here please! I hurt, my head hurts, my legs hurt and I am so cold.
Grandma knew Delight was ill.
"Mark, call Dr. Baer," the old woman said. "Delight is very
ill."
"Sure," replied Grandpa. He quickly made a telephone call.
Dr. Baer had retired for the night but the Capley girl was his
favorite patient so he came to see her in a hurry.
When the doctor examined Delight he found that she had
pneumonia.
Delight was wrapped in warm quilts and taken to the nearest
hospital. At the hospital she was placed in a private room where
her grandparents stayed with her for hours.
Mrs. Capley called the Canberry house to ask Abner to take
care of Popcorn and feed the chickens so she and grandpa could
remain near Delight.
Abner was so sad to learn of Delight's illness. When he went
to feed the chickens he stopped in front of the coop and looked up
to the sky. He prayed: "Please, God, make Delight well. Don't let
her die. I thank you, God."
In the hospital Delight was having a difficult time breathing.
An oxygen tank was kept close by. Her grandparents sat quietly by
the bed with tears on their faces. It hurt them so much to see
their lovely granddaughter in this condition, with tubes in her
nose to keep her alive.
"Comfort, go find a place to relax," said Grandpa. "I saw
lounge chairs in the lobby. I will wait with this child."
Grandma left the patient's room to try to get needed rest as
she was very tired. She was able to take short naps. Later she
went back to take her husbands place by the bed.
Pastor Blessing came to pray for Delight.
In the early evening and night Delight was restless. It was as
if a storm was raging in her body. About 4:30 a.m. she fell into a
good sleep. The doctor on duty said, "She is going to be fine, but
will have to remain here a few days."
At daybreak Grandpa went back to Dogwood Hollow. Grandma found
a room near the hospital where she could rest and then spend time
with her granddaughter.
The old woman was so glad to hear Delight talking again.
"Grandma, I'm glad you stayed with me," said Delight.
"Grandpa stayed for awhile, dear," explained Mrs. Capley.
"Then he went home to take care of things there."
Through the opened door of her hospital room Delight watched
many interesting people. Doctors and nurses in white uniforms
walked past her door. Patients in bathrobes and pajamas passed by.
Children and grownups in wheelchairs went up and down the hall
often. There were men with carts filled with cleaning supplies.
One of them mopped the floor around her bed. She really did
welcome the lady who brought her juice and ice water on a tray.
"Grandma, I didn't know there were so many people working in a
hospital," she said. "Everyone is so good to me, but I want to go
home right away. There are too many sick people here. Please, take
me home."
"Praise the Lord!" Grandma sounded cheerful. "We will be home
soon.
In hardly anytime at all, Delight, Grandpa and Grandma were
all in the little cottage in Dogwood Hollow.
"I am going to be well enough to go to the meeting in
Clintsville next week," insisted Delight.
"I hope so," remarked Grandma.
"Sure you will," added Grandpa.
Everyday Delight grew stronger. She had to find ways to keep
busy until she could go outside again.
Abner and Maggie came in often to keep her company. The three
worked hard at putting together a large picture puzzle that
Delight's Sunday school class had given her.
Delight made a book out of her mound of Get Well cards.
When Grandpa read the bible each night, Delight listened
carefully to every word. There were so many good promises in the
bible. She marked the scripture verses in her own bible that she
wanted to memorize.
When the grandfather and granddaughter arrived in Apple Hill,
he went into the post office to buy stamps. While he was gone,
Nella Pump came by the car and talked with Delight.
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