The Chinese Parrot (Charlie Chan Detective Series) — page 170: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

————_— . = on "Come on—I'll show you round my place," invited the doctor. "I've made the desert bloom—put that on my tombstone. You should have seen this neighborhood when I came. Just a rifle and a cat—that's all I had at first. And the cat wouldn't stay. My first house here I built with my own hands. Five miles to Eldorado—I walked in and back every day. Mr. Ford hadn't been heard of then." She led the way into the yard, in and out among the little cottages. Tired faces brightened at her approach, weary eyes gleamed with sudden hope. "They've come to her from all over the country," Paula Wendell said. "Broken-hearted, sick, discouraged. And she's given them new life—" Nonsense,’ cried the doctor. "I've just been friendly. It's a pretty hard world. Being friendly—that works wonders." In the doorway of one of the cottages they came upon Martin Thorn, deep in conversation with Shaky Phil Maydorf. Even Maydorf mellowed during a few words with the doctor. Finally, when they reluctantly left, Doctor Whitcomb followed them to the gate. "Come often,” she said. "You will, won't you?" "I hope to," answered Bob Eden. He held her great rough hand a moment. "You know—I'm beginning to sense the beauty of the desert,” he added. 170 comiicboeoe S CO