Читать книгу An Old Fashioned Girl - Бетти Нилс - Страница 5

PATIENCE was awakened just after one o’clock by Miss Murch, standing by her bed and thumping her on the shoulder. She held a lighted candle and in its meagre light her appearance to the sleepy Patience was alarming.

‘I am cold,’ snarled Miss Murch. ‘Get me a hot drink and refill my bottle, this house will be my death …’

Patience nipped out of bed and put a comforting arm around the housekeeper. It was startling to feel how hot she was despite her shivers. ‘Come back to bed,’ she coaxed. ‘I’ll be back in no time with a drink and a hot-water bottle; I’ll bring a spare blanket too …’

She was creeping down the stairs when Mr van der Beek loomed on the landing.

‘Now what?’ He sounded resigned. ‘Miss Murch?’

‘Yes. She says she’s cold but she feels very hot. I’m going to get her a hot drink and fill a bottle …’

‘You have nothing on your feet.’

‘Well, I didn’t bring an overnight bag with me, did I?’ She spoke reasonably, not waiting for an answer as she skimmed along to the kitchen.

When she got back to Miss Murch’s room, Mr van der Beek was there, sitting on the side of the bed, looking at the thermometer in his hand. His expression told her nothing and he said cheerfully, ‘Well, Miss Murch, you have a touch of flu. You will stay in bed for a few days until you feel more the thing and we will nurse you. I am going to give you some tablets which you will take but first I am going to give you an injection—an antibiotic which will give the tablets a boost.’ He looked at Patience. ‘More pillows and another blanket?’ he asked.