Cherry Ames 02 Senior Nurse Read Online Free PDF

talking about Marius Lexington Upham,” Gwen informed her.
    “What?” said Cherry incredulously. “What’s that, a race horse or a battleship?” The smaller of the two probies giggled.
    Vivian said, “Believe it or not, that’s the poor chap’s name.” Cherry only half listened, watching the door in some embarrassment.
    “Poor chap, indeed!” Gwen sputtered. She shook her red head admiringly. “He’s got this hospital on its ear!
    The worst of it is, nobody can handle him! Even the senior staff men admit he’s absolutely brilliant—and absolutely headstrong! He’s untameable!”
    “Gwen dear, you’ll frighten the probies,” Cherry said idly. “No one can be——”
    “Oh, can’t he?” Vivian cut in. “Did you ever meet a cyclone? Of all the extraordinary——” 32
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    Just then Miss Reamer called Cherry over. Her attention swerved to the unknown probationer who was to be her personal charge for the coming year. She rose and excused herself.
    Standing beside the Superintendent of Nurses at the table was a girl of about eighteen with a dumpy figure and an ordinary face. She would have made no impression whatsoever on Cherry, except for the unpleasant way she seemed to draw herself away from everyone around her.
    Cherry took an instant dislike to her.
    Then she realized it and was appalled. “I’ve no right to a prejudice! I don’t even know the girl,” Cherry scolded herself as Miss Reamer introduced them.
    “How do you do,” said Mildred Burnham. Her face was heavy with indifference and hostility. The girl was like a dead weight.
    “I’ll have to win her over,” Cherry thought, feeling weary right at the start. What was bothering this girl?
    Cherry swallowed her dislike and made an effort.
    “Wouldn’t you like to sit down? I can’t guarantee finding an empty sofa, but I do see a couple of chairs.”
    “It makes no difference to me,” Mildred Burnham said flatly.
    “Well, it makes a difference to me,” Cherry said and managed a laugh. “I’ve been on my feet since seven this morning, and you know they say a nurse never stands when she can sit, and never sits when she can lie down.” T W O S T R A N G E P E O P L E

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    “Do they say that?” Mildred Burnham said. She followed Cherry to the vacant chairs and they sat down.
    Cherry groped for something that this leaden girl might respond to. “What sort of class are you in?” she asked.
    “They’re nothing wonderful,” Mildred Burnham said.
    Cherry gulped and tried again to see something about her probie that she could like.
    “You’re a poised probationer. It’s exceptional. But honestly, aren’t you excited inside about starting training?” The girl looked at her out of stony eyes. “Excited? No.
    I mean to be a nurse, but I don’t see why I should get wild-eyed about it.”
    Cherry hung on tight to her temper and stared in bewilderment at her adoptee. Mildred Burnham suddenly sat up straight in her chair.
    “You needn’t think you can patronize me,” she cried,
    “just because you’re two years ahead of me!” So that was it. How childish! How absurd! Cherry said quickly:
    “Honestly I don’t feel the least bit patronizing. I certainly would have no reason to. I want you to accept whatever help I can give, in the way I mean it.” But Mildred Burnham’s sullen expression did not waver. She preserved a hateful silence. Cherry’s patience began to give out.

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    “Perhaps you’d rather some other senior adopted you?”
    “It makes no difference.”
    “Or would you rather not be adopted at all?”
    “Oh, no. I expect that this adoption business will be useful to me. Do you mind if I go now?” Cherry’s patience reached its end. “You’re very rude,” she said sharply. “If you’re going to be a nurse, you’ll have to learn to be civil. You might as well start with me.”
    “Thanks so much for the advice,” said