Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1942-06-19

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the lower hall. saw him coming down
and inspected him critically.
What is it? A party?"
You could call it that. I 60 on
duty at the hospital today"
I "And what might that mean?"
"All sorts of things YOU wouldn't
like, my child. Two or three opera
tions, for one thing"
And you're going to do them?"
81 am indeed" he told her sol
EMMY.
"Then Heaven help the victimsp
she said, and slammed out the front
door.
But he had other things than Katie
to think of that morning. To the eye
he might have been any young bust
nessman walking briskly through the
bracing winter air on his way to an
office somewhere or other. To him
self, however, he was taking the first
step toward a larger and fuller life,
a life not only of service but Of graft
fled ambition; of going on and up,
taking some time IN Europe, being
called in consultation. reading papers
before the medical society.
So grandiose had been his thoughts
that he was shocked when, a block
or so from the hospital, he found him
self with a bad attack of nerves. His
heart was beating wildly, his hands
were damp with sweat. He stopped
and steadied himself.
Good Lord" he thought, ''I'm
scared. Scared as kid"
He looked at his hands, which were
shaking, and felt that his knees were
uncertain under him. He was even
slightly nauseated. He lighted Gig
arctic and went on, but the tobacco
sickened him still more, and at last
he threw it away.
"a fine surgeon l ami" he thought
disgustedly. Sick. Sick to my
stomach. I'd look fine, losing my
/ breakfast. What's the matter with
me anyhow"
He Strengthened and walked on, but
he did not entirely recover from his
funk until he reached the hospital.
Then suddenly he was himself again.
/ Yes, he was back home, and the hos
pital reached out and welcomed him.
In the office, when he checked in,
was his name, new on the board.
The first operation had been sched-
uled for ten o'clock, and it was almost
that now. He found Williams in the
hall waiting for him, wondered if he
had any nerves.
He had, it seemed, three cases that
morning, and Williams launched into
explanations as Chris scrubbed up and
got into his coat. Chris listened and
nodded. 1t seemed amazing to him
now that he had been afraid of this
thing. 1t was his work. 1t was to be
his lifework. He drew a deep breath
ana Threw out MS cheSC.
The operating room was waiting,
spotless and cleaning. 1t looked like
stage set, with the nurses scattered
here and there and Chris the star
actor making his entrance. For
moment all movement ceased all faces
turned toward him. Then Miss Clarke,
the head nurse, moved forward, quiet
and competent.
We're ready, Doctor, and we're all
delighted to have you back"
He glanced around him. For a
time now each year this was to be his
kingdom. His word would be law,
and these subjects of his in blue and
white or in white would rush to obey
it. But he knew, too, that he was in
their hands, as they were in his. They
were friendly, these internes and
nurses, but where once they had been
indulgent, now they would be watch
full and critical. 1t was a closed
world, protecting its own, and the
staff men did not entirely belong.
They came and went, the overlords of
this small world, but they belonged
outside beyond its walls. There was
this knowledge in his eyes when they
met Miss Clarke's and she colored
family under his quizzical gaze.
That's very kind of you," he said.
"I'll try not to throw things All
right, Williams"