Honorary Surgeon (22 page)

Mary slowly piloted the older woman towards the new building which housed the X-ray, light, and massage departments.
“
This has only been built during the last year; it
’
s an enormous improvement on the old building,
”
she explained.

“
Just a quick glance round, my dear. I don
’
t really want to see much. I told Richard I
’
d like you to take me round. He was very pleased; he likes me to take an interest in his hospital.
”
She leaned more confidently towards her companion, and there was a mischievous twinkle in her eye as she continued,
“
I
’
m not very interested really ... I don
’
t understand one thing about these machines.
”
She indicated the large X-ray screening stand and tube.
“
I wanted a chance for a chat with you.
”

Mary was at a complete loss for a reply to her companion
’
s unexpected admission, and, in order to hide her confusion, she entered into a long discourse about the advantages of the new arrangements over the old.
“
You see, the films are filed here, and if we want them in the wards for reference, we can get them ourselves without worrying the radiographers at all,
”
she ended breathlessly.

“
Very nice, I
’
m sure ... it must be a great improvement,
”
Lady Alymer agreed politely.
“
Now, please show me the other departments just as quickly as you can, and then I can say I
’
ve seen everything.
”

Mary had to laugh.
“
It
’
s impossible to see them quickly. Why, there are fourteen different rooms in light department alone!
”

“
Show me one! That will be plenty. Then find me a nice seat where we can sit and have a chat.
”
She leaned for a moment more heavily on her stick.
“
I
’
m not just being naughty, you know, but this leg does give me trouble when I walk about.
”

Mary was full of sympathy.
“
I
’
m sure it must. Arthritis, isn
’
t it? You poor dear, I know it must be awfully painful.
”

“
Not so bad as I make out!
”
Lady Alymer laughed.
“
I always have it for a lovely excuse if there is anything I don
’
t want to do, but, you know, I get about quite well.
”
After a cursory glance at the rest of the building, Mary led the way to the large entrance-hall, then back again to the quadrangle.
“
Shall we come back to the tea tent and sit there?
”

“
Yes, that would be best, as Richard is picking me up there. I won
’
t keep him waiting that way.
”

Mary was soon seated before the older woman at the table which she had but a short time before vacated. After her very brief acquaintance with Sir Richard
’
s mother, she was bound to admit that, although in appearance she was so different from her son, in personality she was certainly his equal. Mary was conscious of the older woman
’
s strength of character, her sparkling vivacity, amazing in one so apparently frail, and her indomitable will. Mary was sure that, should Lady Alymer ever
r
eally set her heart on anything, she would achieve that thing in the end.

“
Now, my dear, do tell me something about yourself,
”
Lady Alymer commanded when they were both settled in their seats,

A flush mounted Mary
’
s cheeks.
“
Really there isn
’
t anything to tell. I ... I started nursing just over two years ago ... I ... I like it very much
.
”

Lady Alymer brushed aside Mary
’
s statement.
“
I
’
m not a bit interested in that. I want to know about you
...
the real you.
”

Mary felt herself grow hotter and hotter.
“
I really don
’
t know what you mean,
”
she faltered.

“
Nonsense! Richard has told me quite a lot about you, you see. I know that you are David Grant
’
s daughter ... I used to know him
...
many years ago now, before you were born
.
I knew your mother too.
”
A faraway look came into her eyes.
“
A lovely woman she was, too
...
You
’
re like her; perhaps even prettier.
”
She put her head to one side and scrutinized Mary more closely.
“
Yes, certainly prettier, only that wretched cap hides all the beauty of your hair.
”

“
You
’
re very flattering.
”
Mary protested, to hide her embarrassment.
“
It must be this shaded light.
”

“
Not at all, neither is it my sight; my eyes are as good as ever they were,
”
the older woman asserted in a manner that brooked no contradiction.
“
Now, tell me, why don
’
t you leave here and come and look after me; or, now you
’
ve seen me, is the idea altogether too formidable?
”

Mary could not resist laughing.
“
On the contrary, now that I have met you I feel greatly tempted to accept your offer.
”
She paused and, resting her arms on the table, leaned towards her companion.
“
Don
’
t you see, it
’
s so difficult for me to accept ... I feel
...”
She smiled a trifle sadly
“
I feel the job has been made for me. I
’
m quite all right here I imagine Sir Richard has told you
...
there has been a bit of bother; but that is nothing; it will soon pass over
...”

“
Mary
”
Joan called her friend from the further end of the tent where she was still busily engaged behind the buffet.
“
Can you come here ... just a minute?
”

Mary made her apologies and rose from the table.
“
Please excuse me. I will be back in a moment.
”

Mary joined her friend.
“
Have I been gone too long? It
’
s a shame to leave all the work to you, but you know I can
’
t manage to get away.
”
She smiled.
“
The old darling seems to take it for granted that I shall stay with her until Sir Richard returns.
”

“
That
’
s all right; we
’
ve practically cleared up, and we haven
’
t seen a customer for the last half-hour. Lady Alymer looks sweet, but not a bit the sort of person I should imagine for Dickie
’
s mother.
”
Joan wiped her hands on a dishcloth and continued speaking.
“
Sister wants to know if you think it worth while to hawk the remaining ices outside?
”

“
We might make a bit on them. How many are there left?
”

‘
Not more than a couple of dozen; have a look, will you?
”

Mary raised the lid of the ice chest.
“
Not as many as that, and they look a bit messy now. I doubt if they are appetizing enough,
”
Mary remarked doubtfully.

“
Right you are; let it be, then. As a matter of fact, we
’
ve done awfully well. I got Noel to count the till; he says there is over twenty pounds,
”
Joan stated.

“
More than last year. That
’
s good.
”
Mary paused as her eyes searched the ground behind the buffet.
“
Joan, you haven
’
t moved all those empty cases alone!
”
she exclaimed with concern.

“
You bet I haven
’
t,
”
Joan responded inelegantly.
“
The two pros did a bit until Sister called them away to help outside. Then I commandeered Noel.
”

“
Thank goodness.
”
Mary sighed with relief.
“
I did feel a pig. I thought I
’
d left you that job to do alone.
”

“
I was glad!
”
Joan laughed lightly, then, suddenly turning serious, gripped her friend
’
s arm.
“
Mary, it doesn
’
t sound very romantic ... I mean, not when it happened over an empty ginger-beer crate
...
but it has happened; it
’
s all right!
”

“
What do you mean?
”
Mary
’
s blue eyes were puzzled.

“
He
’
s proposed ... Noel ... Oh, Mary, it
’
s all through you. You
’
re an angel I shall never, never be able to thank you enough!
”

“
Joan!
”
Mary gripped her friend
’
s hand impulsively.
“
I
’
m thrilled. It
’
s marvellous. I can
’
t tell you how glad I am!
”

“
Yes, and I know you mean it; that
’
s why I think you
’
re so wonderful.
”
Joan
’
s expression was earnest as she faced her friend.
“
I hope one day you
’
ll get your reward and be just as happy as I am today.
”
Her voice assumed a lighter tone.
“
I only called you over to tell you that; the ices were just an excuse. I couldn
’
t keep it to myself a moment longer. Now you
’
d better get back to your job of entertaining Dickie
’
s mother, only promise, come to my room directly you
’
re off this evening.
”

Mary gave her promise, then, deep in thought, walked back towards the table where Lady Alymer awaited her. Joy and sorrow so filled her soul that she could hardly distinguish the two emotions. She was happy for Joan; happy that what she had hoped for had happened; that her two friends, man and girl, should fall in love. Yet behind that joy was an insufferable ache. Joan engaged. That would mean Joan would shortly marry. There was nothing to wait for; within a few weeks she would inevitably leave St. Jude
’
s. St. Jude
’
s without Joan; that was the prospect that Mary, summoning all her strength, doubted if she would ever find the courage to face.

“
What
’
s the matter? You look perturbed.
”
Lady Alymer
’
s voice reached Mary as from a distance. She seated herself again opposite her companion and, thrusting back her chaotic thoughts, forced a smile.

“
I don
’
t
feel
perturbed; I feel terribly happy,
”
Mary assured the older woman.
“
I
’
ve just heard that Joan, my best friend here, is engaged. They are an ideal couple... absolutely suited to one another.
”