To Please the Doctor Read Online Free PDF Page A

my name, of course, but that meant nothing to him. I didn ’ t see why I should enlighten him, he ’ ll know soon enough, ” she ended a trifle grimly.
    “ He will be surprised. ” Harriet gave her deep laugh, then added more seriously, and not without a hint of anxiety in her tone: “ You liked him really, didn ’ t you? I know he has a brusque manner, but underneath has a heart of gold; his abruptness is all part of his character, that ’ s all. ”
    “ The man is insufferably uncouth and you know it! No, don ’ t interrupt me, ” she insisted as Harriet ventured a protest. “ I know all about his brilliant career, his patience with the children, and all the rubbish you spilled last night. Still, the fact remains that as a social asset he is a dead loss! ” Her dimpled smile took the sting from her words.
    Harriet found herself laughing too. “ I suppose you are right, but honestly he is much nicer when you know him; he is absurdly ill at ease with strangers, and I think his gruff attitude is a shield to cover his own discomfiture. I admit I found him difficult at first, but now we are the best of friends. I had an uphill job, too; I started at a terrible disadvantage. He loathed the idea of a woman assistant, and I had to fight against terrific odds. ” She smiled reminiscently. “ It ’ s marvellous the way he has accepted the idea. ”
    “ He certainly spoke with respect—almost admiration—of your qualities. ” Jill pushed back her cup and lit a cigarette. “ If he ever finds it in his heart to sing my praises as he does yours I ’ d think myself honoured. ”
    “ He is going to like you. ” Harriet announced. Then, as Jill burst into a peal of laughter, she went on: “ No, don ’ t laugh, I understand Duncan and I know what I ’ m saying. There is one thing he admires above all things, and that ’ s efficiency and ability—he likes to be able to depend u pon people. I ’ m not flattering myself, but you know that I can be relied on. I do put all I ’ ve got into my job. ”
    Jill nodded. “ I know that ’ s true, but that isn ’ t any reason why he should take to me. ”
    “ You don ’ t have to work, and unless you loved your job you wouldn ’ t. I know enough about you to realize just how keen you must be; efficiency, well, that naturally follows. Harriet paused then continued thoughtfully: You ’ll win his respect in the same way as I have. You ’ ve the character and ability to stand up to him which you ’ ll find most helpful. ” Harriet folded her serviette and laid it beside her plate, then rising, led the way back to the lounge. Seating herself in the armchair she queried. “ By the way, where did you fix him up last night. Did you manage to find sheets and things? ”
    “ Yes, I gave him bed-linen, ” Jill admitted. “ But he was so damn rude I told him he could make shift for himself—according to Mrs. Sidons, he ended up in the armchair. ”
    For a second Harriet seemed aghast, then suddenly she burst into a peal of laughter. “ Jill, my dear! ” Gradually her laughter subsided and she exclaimed. “ What a beginning! Here am I trying to give you advice—telling you—you of all people, to stand up to him! ”
    “ That ’ s not all, ” Jill confessed. “ You spoke of efficiency; you ought to have seen the meal I produced! It was scarcely eatable; that electric stove of yours simply left me stunned. You watch his face when I ’ m presented to him as the new Sister! ”
    “ At least it has its humorous side. ” Harriet admitted. “ That ’ s one good thing about Duncan, he does possess a sense of humour. You must admit that ’ s a saving grace. ”
    “ Somewhat warped humour. ” Jill spoke softly and the words were hardly audible to her companion. Raising her tone, she continued: “ My uniform is in the trunk I sent to hospital. I ’ ll have to turn up in mufti and change there. ”
    Harriet ’ s presence was certainly a comfort to Jill as they