You have the true gift of healing within you."
And she would feel comforted and her strength would be renewed as she saw how unsparingly the sister gave of herself to all, both patients and students.
It seemed that no matter what hour of the day or night Jennie was on duty, Sister Christopher was always nearby.
Jennie reached for a cigarette.
All of them must be working terribly hard if the sister mentioned it in a letter. Sister Christopher was never given to make much of her own efforts.
A feeling of uselessness swept through Jennie as she thought of the comparatively easy life she led. She looked down at her strong, lean hands.
She did so little with them now. The knowledge that was in them seemed to tingle in her fingertips.
There must be something she could do to help the sisters.
There was.
She reached for the telephone at the same time she had the idea and dialed quickly.
"Rosa?
This is Jennie."
"How are you, Jennie?
David told me how you almost broke up the United States Army with the Hope show."
Jennie laughed. "The poor kids have been away from women too long."
"Don't hand me that. The trade papers said you were great."
"Don't tell me David's got you reading them?"
"Sure thing," Rosa said. "Isn't that what every wife in the business does?
It's the only way they can keep track of what their husbands are doing."
"How's little Bernie?"
"Why don't you come over for dinner one night and see for yourself?
It's been a long time."
"I will. Soon."
"Do you want to talk to David?"
"If he's there," Jennie said politely.
"Good-by, dear," Rosa said, "and dinner real soon?
Here's David."
"How's the pride and joy of the Norman lot?"
"Fine.
I’m sorry to disturb you at home, David, but I had a little problem I thought you could advise me on."
His voice became serious. "Shoot."
She cleared her throat.
"I went to St. Mary's College of Nursing on a scholarship and I was wondering if I could arrange with the studio to take something out of my pay check each week and send it to them the way they do with the Motion Picture Relief Fund.
It would be sort of paying them back a little for all they did for me."
"That's easy." David laughed, a kind of relief in his voice. "Just send a note to my office tomorrow morning telling me how much you want taken off and we'll do the rest.
Anything else?"
"No, that's all."
"Good.
Now, you come to dinner like Rosa said."
"I will, David.
Good-by."
She put down the telephone and looked at the letter again. She began to feel better.
At least, even if she couldn't be there herself to help, her money would do some good.
She put down the letter and picking up the manila envelope, ripped it open.
She had been right. It was a script, a long one.
Curiously she read the title on the blue cover.
Aphrodite; a screenplay based on a novel by Pierre Louys.
She opened the script to the first page and a note fell out. It was brief and to the point.
Dear Miss Denton:
It has been a long time since you made a motion picture and I believe you were wise to wait for the proper script with which to follow up your tremendous success in The Sinner. Aphrodite, I believe, is that script. It is the one property I have seen that has the scope and the quality to add luster to your career.