Freedom's Challenge by Anne McCaffrey Read Free Book Online Page A

said with a hint of petulance. “Norma Sophie Barrow. Miss Barrow.”
    â€œI do apologize, Miss Barrow,” Kris said sincerely, holding her hand now for the woman to shake. “I’m Kris Bjornsen, the nurse’s aide.”
    â€œOf course, you are. We’ve been expecting you,” Miss Barrow said almost tartly. “Aren’t we?”
    Marjorie and Peggy nodded.
    â€œIn that case, let us walk up to the dining hall,” Kris said.
    Behind the newly restored Miss Barrow, Mavis was almostin tears with joy at the breakthrough. It was a very mixed blessing. Miss Barrow was stunned to find herself in such rural, primitive surroundings.
    â€œRustic, I should say,” she remarked as they entered the log-built main hall. “I would certainly never take my vacation in such a setting.” She wanted coffee and refused to drink the herbal tea which was all that was served. She wanted white bread toast and butter and did not like the berry preserve, which did service as a spread. Nor would she eat the hot oatmeal. Porridge was for children or invalids. She wanted an egg, boiled, three minutes.
    Although Marjorie and Peggy were hungry enough to eat what Kris served them, they began to falter as Miss Barrow’s complaints jarred their own memories of breakfasts or homes or what they had once been accustomed to.
    Just as Kris was beginning to think she wouldn’t be able to cope with this sort of insurrection, Dorothy Dwardie slid in beside Miss Barrow.
    â€œI am so glad to see you looking so well, today, Miss Barrow.”
    Miss Barrow recoiled from Dorothy, a hint of fear contorting her features.
    â€œSurely, you remember me, Doctor Dwardie?”
    â€œDoctor?” Miss Barrow was only slightly reassured while Kris admired the friendly but not intimate tone Dorothy used.
    â€œYes, Doctor Dwardie, I’m in charge of your case.”
    â€œI’ve not been well?” As Miss Barrow’s fragile hand went to her chest and her expression became even more confused, Dorothy nodded, still smiling with great reassurance.
    â€œYes, but nothing life-threatening, I’m happy to report. The tests have all come back negative. You may not rememberthings in the detail you used to but we’re positive that you will make a complete recovery.”
    â€œI
was
working very hard,” Miss Barrow said, running one nervous finger along the edge of the table and watching its progress, “the merger, you know.”
    â€œYes, exactly, the merger. One of the elements of your convalescence has actually been a change of diet to a very bland one. A change to flush the toxins of fatigue out of your system. If you just look at Marjorie and Peggy, you’ll see how healthy and fine they are. And you’re very much improved.”
    â€œToxins…yes, there were toxins,” Miss Barrow said. “Some of them…” She closed her lips and gave a weak smile. “I’m not allowed to talk about my work, you understand.”
    â€œYes, yes, Miss Barrow, we do. Miss Bjornsen is the soul of discretion but as I have a top security clearance, perhaps if we had a quiet little chat in my office, I could relieve your mind, and we can figure out just what other therapy will speed your recovery.”
    Gently Dorothy got Miss Barrow to her feet and led her out of the dining room and toward her putative office.
    â€œShe’ll be all right, won’t she?” Marjorie said, her eyes wide with fright. It was also the first time Marjorie had said more than yes, no, and maybe. Peggy stared from one to another and then back to Kris for reassurance.
    â€œShe’ll be fine,” Kris said firmly, smiling and nodding her head. “But I think we’d better finish our breakfasts. Then we’ll find a quiet spot for me to finish reading
Pride and Prejudice.
”
    â€œI read that once,” Peggy said in a vague tone, frowning slightly.
    â€œI like Kris