A Match for Sister Maggy Read Online Free Page A

always the problem of dancing partners.
    Staff’s eyes were sparkling; she appeared to be labouring under some emotion. Maggy sat down, saying nothing. Whatever it was could come after the report. It took fifteen minutes or so, each patient discussed treatment checked, notes made. She came to the end of the page in the report book, and, she thought, the end of the report, but Staff said in a voice of suppressed excitement, ‘There’s another patient, Sister. Over the page—She’s a Private; in Sep.’
    Maggy turned the page and the name leapt out at her.Mevrouw Van Beijen Doelsma: Coronary thrombosis. Her heart gave a lurch, but she turned no more than a faintly interested face to Williams.
    â€˜Sister, it’s Dr Doelsma’s mother—she’s over here on holiday with Sir Charles.’ Maggy nodded, remembering her conversation with him a few days ago. ‘And he’s been over to see her. He flew over…’
    Maggy interrupted her firmly. ‘When did the patient come in? Is she being specialled?’
    â€˜During the first night of your days off, Sister, and she’s being specialled, though they’re very short of nurses. Dr Doelsma…’
    â€˜How bad?’ asked Maggy, forestalling what she felt sure was going to be a rhapsody with Dr Doelsma as the main theme.
    Williams returned obediently to her report.
    â€˜Not too bad, Sister, and beginning to improve.’ She went on to give a detailed account of treatment, drugs and nursing care, for she was devoted to Sister MacFergus, who was strict, kind, fair to the nurses, and had never been known to shirk the day’s work; indeed, she could, if called upon, work for two—something she in fact frequently did. Williams finished her report; she had given it exactly as Sister liked it, and she hoped she was going to be asked about Dr Doelsma.
    Maggy waved a capable well-kept hand at the chair. ‘Sit down, Staff. Spare me two minutes and tell me all about it.’
    Williams drew a long breath. ‘Oh, Sister, he’s smashing! He came ever so early, about eight o’clock—he flew over and stayed all day, and Sir Charles was here, of course, and they were in there hours, I was with them. He’s got a gorgeous smile, and he’s so tall. He went back last night. What a pity you missed him, Sister.’
    Maggy smiled. ‘It sounds to me, Staff, as if he had allthe help and attention he needed, I suppose you’re the most envied girl in the hospital?’
    Williams nodded with satisfaction. ‘Yes, everyone’s green with envy.’ She gazed out of the window. ‘He wore the loveliest waistcoat,’ she said.
    Maggy got up, telling herself that she had not the least desire to discuss the doctor’s waistcoats. ‘Williams, what about your faithful Jim?’
    The other girl sighed. ‘I know, Sister, but Dr Doelsma’s like someone out of a dream—the sort of man you always want to meet, and never do. If he comes again, Sister, you’ll see what I mean.’
    Maggy saw exactly what she meant. ‘I’m going to do my round,’ she said firmly. She went to Sep last. Mevrouw Doelsma looked very small lying there in bed. Despite her grey pallor, Maggy could see that she was a most attractive woman, with white hair, excellently cut. Her eyes were closed, and Maggy stood with the charts, studying them, and listening to the nurse’s report. Everything looked satisfactory. She sent the nurse to go and get her coffee, and turned back to the bed. Her patient’s eyes were open and upon her. She smiled, but before she could say anything, Mevrouw Doelsma spoke.
    â€˜Maggy? I’m so glad. Charles said you would get me well.’
    â€˜Yes, of course, Mevrouw Doelsma, we’ll have you well again very soon.’
    The little lady smiled. ‘Paul was cross because you weren’t here. He had to go back.’
    A faint colour stole into