"I'll look after the children," Samantha said. "You can go and find the medicine."
"Yes, of course. I don't know what I'd do without you. Samantha here is my right hand, though sometimes I think she's both hands." Miss Brigham giggled like a fool at this. "Well then, I'd better be off."
She galloped away, looking back over her shoulder a few times. Uncle Hector shook his head. "That's who's in charge of this place?"
"She isn't so bad. She's just had a shock."
"Uh-huh. So what's this medicine she's getting? Some kind of magic herbs?"
"Not exactly." Samantha was grateful she didn't have to elaborate when the children came piling out of the church, led by Annie. They settled for hugging Samantha around the waist, even Helena.
"I'm glad you're back," Helena said.
"Thank you," Samantha said. "I'm glad to see you too."
"Who's that man?"
"That's my friend, Mr. Delgado. I found his boat on the beach."
"He looks like you."
"He does, doesn't he?"
Helena stepped back from Samantha. "Does that mean he's a savage?"
"No! There are no savages. That's just something Reverend Crane made up to scare you from going to the mainland."
"He looks like a savage."
"I do, don't I?" Uncle Hector said. He made a growling sound in his throat that prompted Helena to squeal with fear. "Just you wait until I'm on my feet again."
She screamed and then raced into the church. Uncle Hector chuckled at this. "Gullible little rugrat."
"What's a rugrat?" Annie asked, saving Samantha the embarrassment of asking herself.
"It's just another word for a little kid."
"Am I a rugrat?"
"You sure are, sweetheart."
"But rats are gross."
"You're not any kind of rat," Samantha said. "None of you are. Now go inside and play."
"Play what?"
"I don't know. Whatever you want."
"All right." Annie went back inside, the other children following suit.
"They really respect you," Uncle Hector said.
"I guess so."
"Don't be so modest. That's a big accomplishment at your age."
"Maybe."
"Samantha!" she heard Rebecca shout. Samantha turned to see Rebecca running past the wreckage of the dormitories as fast as she could. Samantha was glad when she didn't try jumping on Samantha either. "You're back! I knew you'd come back."
"I hear you've been busy."
"Oh, yes, I suppose so," Rebecca said. She looked down at the ground. "I just tried to do what you would do."
"And I bet you're doing an even better job of it."
"Maybe." Rebecca motioned to the net. "Who's that?"
"This is my friend Mr. Delgado. His boat washed up on the beach. Miss Brigham is going to get some medicine for his leg."