A Match for Sister Maggy Read Online Free PDF Page A

stethoscope and said quietly, ‘I’ll ring Sir Charles.’ She sent her urgent message, and went back to find the doctor sitting on the edge of the bed, his mother’s hand in his.
    Mevrouw Doelsma still looked very ill, but they could see now that she wasn’t going to die. Maggy wrote up the charts; Sir Charles would expect them accurate and ready for him. Dr Doelsma was using the stethoscope again; he took it off and handed it to Maggy. This time it recorded something—a poor something, but obviously the drugs were having effect. They agreed their reading, and smiled at each other; she could see how anxious his eyes were. They both stood looking down at the face on the pillow between them. It held some semblance of life again, and as they watched, the eyelids fluttered and his mother’s eyes opened. She looked at her son and then at Maggy, and a tiny smile came and went, but as she was about to speak he gave her hand a warning squeeze.
    â€˜Don’t talk, Mama, everything’s all right. You shall have your say presently.’
    She smiled again before she closed her eyes again. They stood on either side of her, patiently waiting. There was nothing very much to do now, except regular and frequent pulse and BP checks. By the time Sir Charles arrived, it was normal. He looked at the charts while he listened to Maggy’s concise, brief report. He nodded at Dr Doelsma. ‘Not much for me to do, eh, Paul? Lucky you turned up when you did.’ He spent a little time examining his patient and said, ‘She’ll do, thanks to you, Paul.’
    The other man shook his head. ‘It is Sister MacFergus whom we must both thank. She did everything necessary in the most competent manner.’
    Sir Charles smiled at Maggy. ‘Yes, she always does. A most reliable girl.’
    The two men stood looking at her; it was a relief to find Staff Nurse at her elbow.
    â€˜Shall I clear up here, Sister? Nurse Sims has got the ward straight—the night staff are on.’
    Maggy thought a minute. ‘Nurse Sims can go now; I’ll give the report, then you can go. I’ll stay here until they can send another nurse.’
    Williams said eagerly, ‘I’ll stay…’ but was interrupted by Sir Charles.
    â€˜Will you stay here for a while, Sister? Have you a good nurse for night duty here?’
    Maggy shook her head. ‘There’s a shortage of nurses, Sir Charles, it’s this gastric bug. There’s no nurse at present, but Matron will arrange for one later on, I’m sure. I’ll bide till she comes.’ She looked at Williams and saw the disappointment on her face. ‘When I come back, Staff, will you make coffee for all of us. I’m sure the doctors would like a cup.’ She was rewarded by a grateful smile as she turned to Sir Charles.
    â€˜I’ll give the report, sir, and be back. Staff Nurse will clear up and set the room ready.’ She gave Williams the keys and slipped away, watched by the two doctors.
    Paul said low-voiced, ‘When Mother goes back home to Oudehof, I want Sister MacFergus to go with her.’
    Sir Charles pursed his lips and looked doubtfully at his companion, who met his gaze with a cool determined look of his own.
    â€˜She’s a ward sister, you know.’
    â€˜I know. Could she not have special leave for a couple of weeks or so? I’ll pay whatever fee the hospital requires. I want someone I can trust to look after Mother.’
    â€˜Naturally. And you trust Sister MacFergus?’
    â€˜Yes, Uncle Charles, I do.’
    The older man turned away and bent over his patient. There was a faint pink in her cheeks now; her pulse was regular and much stronger. He gave Williams some instructions, and went back to Paul. ‘Very well, Paul, I’ll do my best for you. Your mother will be here for a month—you know that. I daresay something can be arranged in the meantime. But I think we will say