"I've always had things pretty hard here," she commented briefly. "When I

go out, I'll either be competent enough to run a whole hospital

singlehanded, or I'll be carried out feet first."

Sidney was glad to have her so near. She knew her better than she knew the

other nurses. Small emergencies were constantly arising and finding her at

a loss. Once at least every night, Miss Harrison would hear a soft hiss

from the back staircase that connected the two floors, and, going out,

would see Sidney's flushed face and slightly crooked cap bending over the

stair-rail.

"I'm dreadfully sorry to bother you," she would say, "but So-and-So won't

Advertisement..

have a fever bath"; or, "I've a woman here who refuses her medicine." Then

would follow rapid questions and equally rapid answers. Much as Carlotta

disliked and feared the girl overhead, it never occurred to her to refuse

her assistance. Perhaps the angels who keep the great record will put that

to her credit.

Sidney saw her first death shortly after she went on night duty. It was the

most terrible experience of all her life; and yet, as death goes, it was

quiet enough. So gradual was it that Sidney, with K.'s little watch in

hand, was not sure exactly when it happened. The light was very dim behind

the little screen. One moment the sheet was quivering slightly under the

struggle for breath, the next it was still. That was all. But to the girl

it was catastrophe. That life, so potential, so tremendous a thing, could

end so ignominiously, that the long battle should terminate always in this

capitulation--it seemed to her that she could not stand it. Added to all

her other new problems of living was this one of dying.

She made mistakes, of course, which the kindly nurses forgot to

report--basins left about, errors on her records. She rinsed her

thermometer in hot water one night, and startled an interne by sending him

word that Mary McGuire's temperature was a hundred and ten degrees. She

let a delirious patient escape from the ward another night and go airily

down the fire-escape before she discovered what had happened! Then she

distinguished herself by flying down the iron staircase and bringing the

runaway back single-handed.

For Christine's wedding the Street threw off its drab attire and assumed a

wedding garment. In the beginning it was incredulous about some of the

details.

"An awning from the house door to the curbstone, and a policeman!" reported

Mrs. Rosenfeld, who was finding steady employment at the Lorenz house.

"And another awning at the church, with a red carpet!"




Most Popular