Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-07-27

mabel Herbert UrneS
3 , II. "There's only
pillowcases and a SPREADING large
Sheets"
"Then we haven't any more" weak
ly. you've changed the bed every
day."
"a sick bed must be changed every
day." with irritating assertiveness.
"Tll phone Ardman's and have some
sent up special"
"Mrs. O'Grady washes today" pro-
tested Helen helplessly.
"But want to fix you up before
the doctor comes. You'll need more
sheets anyway" she was looking for
the number. Hello, Bryant S2200.-
Ardman's?-The linen department
please"
The flush on Helen's face was not
due wholly to the fever, as she listened
with smothered resentment to Miss
Saunders authoritative order for four
sheets, double-bed size, sent special
Her aversion for this nurses asser-
tive personality had become a feverish
luminosity. And her extravaganza
her wasteful extravaganza!
Miss Saunders was now by the bed
shaking down the thermometer.
"Oh, rinse it off first" objected
Helen, shrinking back.
"Rinse it OFF," with flush of dis
pleasure. II never give a thermome-
ter without washing it thoroughly.
Under the tongue, please"
Their eyes met in open hostility as
Helen held the glass tube between her
unwilling lips. 1t had not been washed !!
With an air of cold displeasure, Miss
Saunders took her pulse, removed the
thermometer and replaced 1t still I'M
washed.
Knowing her temperature was taken
every few hours, Helen grimly deter
mined to watch that thermometer.
Would she dare give it to her again
without making even a pretense at
rinsing 1t?
There had been other things about
which the nurse seemed ineXcusably
careless. In many little ways Helen
knew she was deliberately ignoring the
doctors orders about the sterile and
antiseptic precautions.
"Td like to brush my teeth first. as
Miss Saunders appeared with a cup of
chicken broth.
"You can do that afterward. Iwant
you to have this while it's hot"
81 haven't brushed my teeth this
morning" combated Helen firmly.
Her thin mouth set in obstinate
fines, she brought a glass of water,
toothbrush and small enameled bowl
Beyond holding the glass, she made no
effort tc prop Helen's head or to help
In the awkward operation.
ooh, I hate her-I hate her !" flared
Helen inwardly as the nurse removed
the things, her disdainful fingers hold.
Ing the toothbrush as though it were
communicating.
The lump of enmity In her throat
Helen barely tasted the broth. Leav'
Ing the soup on the table, the nurse
rustled out to answer the phone.
"Hello oh, it's Mr.. Curtis ?-She's
resting very quietly.-Yes, she's had
her broth"
For the moment Helen's hostility
was submerged in the thrilled glow
that Warren had called up within ar
hour after he had reached the Office.
"You can take that broth out-ant
wash all those glasses" ordered Miss
Saunders, as Dora came in with the
sweeper and dust cloth.
II got my own work to do" sui
lenly.
Empty that wastebasket," coolly
Ignoring her unwillingneSs. "And pu
a fresh towel on this stand before the
doctor comes"
II don't want to worry you wher
you're sick, ma'am-but can't do m!
work and hers too" muttered Dora
as the nurse founced out "She ough
to do little somethin' to earn her five
dollars a day."
"Try to get along the best you can
Dora. 1t won't be for long" cOncili
ated Helen.
"If you could see the way she wastes
things In the kitchen. All them Whit
eggs she uses for that albumen wa
ter-what d'you think she does will
the yolks? Throws them in the sink 7
"Throws them away?" Indignantly
"Why didn't you tell herr"
NO. ma'am, l won't have no word
with her. l won't take no more o
her orders-and she needn't come on
there maxim lot Of Dishes"
AS the morning dragged on, |
seemed to Helen that Miss Saunder
deliberately contrived to irritate ant
antagonize her. Instead of a nurse
soothing sympathy, her whole attitud
was rasplngly combative.
When at IL o'clock she again tool
the thermometer from the chit