A Measure of Mercy Read Online Free PDF Page B

sheets.” He took the wet bundle from her and waited.
    Astrid shook her head. “Before you put the sheets on him, lay a towel across his, his . . .” She sought the best word so as to not offend. “Below his waist.” She gestured at the same time.
    “I will do that.” He waited for her to leave the room.
    “Who does he think worked on that young man’s body yesterday?” she muttered as she leaned against the hall wall.
    An outside door opened, and Pastor Solberg entered. “How is he?”
    “How do you always know when to come?”
    He shrugged. “I guess God tells me. But we all know these next hours are when life ebbs the lowest. Your mother and I have spent many of these dark hours of the morning praying and pleading for God to heal, to bring the patients through this time.” He paused. “Why are you in the hall?”
    “His father wouldn’t allow me to change the sheets, said it was not proper.”
    John Solberg stared at his feet, trying to hide his grin. “I have a feeling you will hear this often in the years ahead. Lovely young women—especially unmarried ones—are not easily perceived as doctors.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Thank you for the compliment, but he is going to have to get used to my being here. Vernon, er Mr. Baxter, is running a fever.”
    “That was to be expected, considering what he’s been through. So now we do all we can and trust God to do the rest.”
    “I’ll go bring a tub of water here to make it easier.”
    “Let me do that. You go check on your patient.”
    Astrid nodded and knocked on the door.
    “Come in.”
    Mr. Baxter finished laying a wet towel across his son’s forehead.
    Astrid glanced up to see that the window was closed again. Surely this man knew better than to keep a sickroom closed up? But then, why should he? So many people still believed that fresh air brought in the vapors, that frequent bathing weakened the body. After all the old wives’ tales she had read in her medical studying, she was grateful that new studies had proven so many of them wrong.
    She crossed to open the window. “Please, the fresh air will help us cool him. And if he gets cold, which would be a blessing right now, we will close it and add covers.”
    The man sighed and nodded. “I s’pose you know best.”
    “Thank you.” Astrid laid the back of her hand against the young man’s cheek. Cooler but still hot. She felt the sheet, and wherever it touched his body, it was already dry. She fetched another sheet from the linen closet in the hall and dunked it in the tub, leaving it dripping to put over the other sheet. If they changed only the top one, propriety would be maintained.
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    DAWN WAS PINKING the sky when Mr. Baxter said he needed to leave to do chores at home.
    “That is all right. There are enough of us to care for him. Do you have a telephone in case we need to call you?”
    “No. But I will come back.”
    “Get some sleep first.”
    He shrugged, squeezed his son’s shoulder, and headed out the door, fighting to keep Astrid from seeing his tears.
    Pastor Solberg brought in a wet sheet. “Any improvement?”
    “No. But I don’t think he is any worse.” Mutterings from the patient drew her back to his side. “He’s been delirious off and on.”
    Mrs. Baxter entered, tying the ends of her head scarf at the base of her neck as she came. “My husband?”
    “Left to do chores just a few minutes ago,” Astrid said, speaking slowly and clearly.
    “Ah, chores.” She nodded her understanding.
    “We are keeping your son wrapped in cold sheets to keep his fever down.” Astrid pointed at the sheets.
    “Looks like we are through the worst here, so I will be on my way. Can I bring you anything?” Pastor Solberg stopped at the doorway.
    “Thank you, Pastor.”
    “Call me if you need me.”
    “I will.”
    A bit later Thelma brought in a breakfast tray for Mrs. Baxter. “I have yours ready in the dining room,” she told Astrid. “Doctor and the mister are eating