New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1921-07-20
Il Didn't"

commissions all night -
If this were true, where was DR..
Petit? He had promised to send
for me if Lillian needed me. Could
1t be possible that the superlnten-
dents inefficient substitute had not
called the physician? l put that
theory aside, knowing that Lillian
would have raised heaven and earth
and the neither regions to get help for
her idOlized child, and would have
compelled action if none were forth
coming. But suppose Lillian herself
had--the voice of the woman at the
other end of the phone at last an
swered my frantic repetition of the
word Hello -
@What is it? What do you want ?''
recognized panic in the voice, real
izing that in an emergency of this
sort confronting the woman-the
breaking of the unexpected news of
a death-she did not know what to
do. With a mighty effort I con-
trolled my own voice to measured
calmness, spoke slowly and distinctly:
please call Miss Jones to the tele-
phone
helpless, sort of you-have-ashed-
is on a case in a private room, and
cannot be called unless the message
is most urgent"
1T is most urgent" emphasized.
You have just told me that Miss
Jones patient is dead"
why The very idea - The
voice was pettish in it's resentful as
constituent. ~ didn't say anything
of the kind
My pulses leaped hopefully, yet !
| did not dare let myself be certain.
Then you have made a terrible
mistake" 1 said Jelly, land have
caused me untold agony of mind !
shall take this up with the board, of
governors Immediately if you do not
call Miss Jones at once
What Miss Jones Said.
A helpless, hopeless sort of silence
for fully half a minute-my brain
| alternately registering hope and des-
pair-then a sullen frightened: Hold
the wire"
Another minutes wait, then crisp
fresh and efficient came the voice OF
Marion's nurse.
This is Miss Jones. What is it,
please?"
'Oh Miss Jones - I was almost
hysterical in my doubt by this time
This is Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Under
woods friend. They have just told
me Marion is dead-is it true?''
Over the wire came the sound Of a
quick, shocked intake of the breath
Afterward l realized that it was the
only triumph the woman's nerves
had over the nurses professional
calm. Then her voice, quickly reas-
surfing.
NO" The emphasis was capital
lied. ''She is very much alive, an6
tpassed a splendid night. And hel
mother is also feeling much better
| THANK God - 1t was a real prayer
of thankfulness that my lips uttered
Then the remembrance of the frigh'
1 had been given made me demand
| further assurance.
How is it I was told SO shocking
a thing?" I asked.
81 do not know. Will you wait {
moment, please?"
| l heard a low murmur of voics
then Miss Jones's voice again.
"a patient did die here this mora
ing. young girl, victim of an auto
mobile collision, also suffering from
conclusion and skull fracture. 1t wa
-natural-mistake, but I'm so sorr
you were frightened"
The nurse, with the discipline Q
the hospital upon her, had begun tn
= sentence, but the woman finished il
and 1 surmised the generous indig IA
| ton that was in her heart agains
the laundering Of the official TEN
porarily in authority over her.
fThank YOU [ tried to conve
my comprehension of her meaning i
the words. will you please tie
Mrs. Underwood that Mr.. Savarin ha
arrived, that we are at the Southamr
ton station. and will be right over
Eyes, indeed. Marion asked fo
you and her uncle the first thin
upon waking this morning."
!, 1--WE will be with her in less tina
! fifteen minutes"
Good. I'll tell her Good-by."
She had treasured me, and di:
: missed me with an air of 1eisureline:
masking brisk finality, and as
= gripped my shattered nerves and wei
y out to the car I realized that she WE
the best interpreter of the hospital
y splendid work and spirit that the il
ID le-fif no