A Surgical Affair by Shirley Summerskill Read Free Book Online Page B

there to collect some syringes and needles. The screen partitioned off the side of the room where the bandages and some of the linen were kept. Two of the nurses were obviously sorting and checking the supplies.
    “I felt myself blush scarlet!” the voice went on. “She said that I should know that a probationer nurse is strictly forbidden to go to a doctor’s room. As I’ve only been here a few months she’s not telling Matron, but, she will if I’m caught doing it again.”
    “Gosh!” said the second voice.
    “Do you remember that time all six of us burst into tears when Baker was lecturing us? Well, I didn’t cry this time. I just looked terribly, terribly hurt and offended, as if I’d never been near—” The voice broke off as Diana picked up the tray of things she needed and made for the door. But not before she saw Nurse Joan Edmonds’s head pop around the screen and then disappear, to the sound of more giggles. Nurse Edmonds was 19 years old, but looked 16, dark-haired and small. Although not one of the most efficient nurses on the ward, she had a pretty face and a pleasant nature.
    Diana called in at the office.
    “Hello, Sister. What have you been doing to poor Nurse Edmonds? My spies have told me all about it.”
    “A little disciplinary matter, that’s all.” Sister sighed. “It’s hard to be cross with them. They look so young. I keep remembering the time many years ago when I was 19, and Matron lectured me about climbing into the Nurses’ Home after a dance: ‘And not in uniform, either!’ she said. ‘In an off-the-shoulder dress!’ ”
    Diana was studying the theater list pinned on the notice board. “This is a great day for me. My first appendix. Dr. Royston says I can do Miss Stevens. She’s a healthy girl of 17, with no complications—I hope. I’ve helped him do so many now, so I should be all right on my own.”
    “But he’ll be there, assisting you?”
    “Oh, yes! But thank goodness Mr. Cole will be doing Out-Patients this afternoon. I think if he shouted at me in the middle, I’d drop my scalpel.”
    Sister looked thoughtfully at Diana. “If you had to have your appendix out in this hospital, who would you choose to do the operation?” she asked.
    Diana pretended to ponder over the question for a moment, but there was no doubt in her mind. “I think Dr. Royston. You see,” she explained hastily, “these days Mr. Cole doesn’t have much experience with appendixes, he’s out of touch—doing all the big things.”
    Sister shook her head. “I’d have Mr. Cole. I’m his biggest fan. The patients think he’s wonderful, too.”
    With an armful of files, Miss Harvey swept through the door, a yellow orchid pinned to the lapel of her smart black suit.
    “I heard you, Nan—about Mr. Cole. But you’re not his biggest fan, I am!”
    “What a heavenly orchid.” Diana said enviously.
    For a moment Miss Harvey looked embarrassed, then she was smiling happily at them both.
    “It’s no good, everybody will have to know sooner or later. Anyway, I can never keep a secret for long.” She dropped her voice. “I’m engaged.”
    “How wonderful!” cried Sister.
    “Who to?” asked Diana.
    “To somebody you know.” Miss Harvey laughed happily. “Dr. Pallie.”
    “You’re very lucky, he’s a charming man.” Diana shook Miss Harvey’s hand warmly. “Isn’t she a dark horse, Sister?”
    Sister smiled and looked wistfully at her friend. “Yes, you are, Kate. Nobody suspected anything was going on between you. I’m glad it’s Dr. Pallie, though. He’s very nice.”
    “It’s not a whirlwind romance. We’ve been very friendly since the hospital party last Christmas,” Miss Harvey told them gaily, “but we knew each other for years before that.”
    “When’s the wedding?”
    “As soon as possible, but no fuss. We’re both too old for that. Just our families—and I’ll go on being called Miss Harvey in the hospital. Nothing will change,