Wed just had a very good dish of eggs in sauce when she came in and Dr Reilly said, Nurse, this is my daughter Sheila.
She shook hands, hoped Id had a good journey, tossed off her hat, gave a cool nod to Mr Coleman and sat down.
Well, Bill, she said. Hows everything?
He began to talk to her about some party or other that was to come off at the club, and I took stock of her.
I cant say I took to her much.
A thought too cool for my liking. An off-hand sort of girl, though good-looking.
Black hair and blue eyes a pale sort of face and the usual lipsticked mouth.
Shed a cool, sarcastic way of talking that rather annoyed me.
I had a probationer like her under me once a girl who worked well, Ill admit, but whose manner always riled me.
It looked to me rather as though Mr Coleman was gone on her.
He stammered a bit, and his conversation became slightly more idiotic than it was before, if that was possible!
He reminded me of a large stupid dog wagging its tail and trying to please.
After lunch Dr Reilly went off to the hospital, and Mr Coleman had some things to get in the town, and Miss Reilly asked me whether Id like to see round the town a bit or whether Id rather stop in the house.
Mr Coleman, she said, would be back to fetch me in about an hour.
Is there anything to see? I asked.
There are some picturesque corners, said Miss Reilly.
But I dont know that youd care for them.
Theyre extremely dirty.
The way she said it rather nettled me.
Ive never been able to see that picturesqueness excuses dirt.
In the end she took me to the club, which was pleasant enough, overlooking the river, and there were English papers and magazines there.
When we got back to the house Mr Coleman wasnt there yet, so we sat down and talked a bit.
It wasnt easy somehow.
She asked me if Id met Mrs Leidner yet.
No, I said.
Only her husband.
Oh, she said. I wonder what youll think of her?
I didnt say anything to that. And she went on: I like Dr Leidner very much.
Everybody likes him.
Thats as good as saying, I thought, that you dont like his wife. I still didnt say anything and presently she asked abruptly: Whats the matter with her?
Did Dr Leidner tell you?
I wasnt going to start gossiping about a patient before I got there even, so I said evasively: I understand shes a bit rundown and wants looking after.
She laughed a nasty sort of laugh hard and abrupt.
Good God, she said.
Arent nine people looking after her already enough?
I suppose theyve all got their work to do, I said.
Work to do?
Of course theyve got work to do. But Louise comes first she sees to that all right.
No, I said to myself. You dont like her.
All the same, went on Miss Reilly, I dont see what she wants with a professional hospital nurse.
I should have thought amateur assistance was more in her line; not someone wholl jam a thermometer in her mouth, and count her pulse and bring everything down to hard facts.
Well, I must admit it, I was curious.
You think theres nothing the matter with her? I asked.
Of course theres nothing the matter with her!
The womans as strong as an ox.
Dear Louise hasnt slept. Shes got black circles under her eyes.
Yes put there with a blue pencil!
Anything to get attention, to have everybody hovering round her, making a fuss of her!
There was something in that, of course.
I had (what nurse hasnt?) come across many cases of hypochondriacs whose delight it is to keep a whole household dancing attendance.