Читать книгу A Rare Find: Ethel Ayres Bullymore - Donna Mann - Страница 6

2. Doctor’s Orders

Two weeks later, Ethel and her mother walked through the market towards the train station, picking up their skirts as they stepped across the gutters. The warm June air promised a pleasant summer day. Ethel shifted the bulky parcels under her arm and walked along the familiar street, glad she’d accepted Mum’s invitation to go to the shops. They jostled forward, careful to avoid the horses that pulled their drays and buggies along the street. The chatter of the shoppers aggravated Ethel’s unsettled mind. She usually loved London with its shops and crowds, but today seemed like an endurance race in which she’d lost sight of the finish line.

Suddenly, yells and screams of protest added to the clamour. Throngs of people began to gather, raising their arms, pushing and cursing.

“What’s going on? What are people so angry about?” Ethel asked as she craned her neck to see.

“Well, I’m not about to go and find out,” Mum said.

Ethel’s curiosity piqued. “Just move over here a bit, Mum, and then we’ll be out of the way. Maybe we can see what’s happening.”

Bobbies shoved their way into the centre of the crowd, shouting orders and threatening to use their sticks. Groups of people huddled together off to the side of the market, talking and laughing, sometimes heckling. Several people crammed in front of Ethel, forcing her to stand on tiptoe to see over their heads. Slowly, she led Mum in front of the shops, staying away from the big crowd in the middle of the market.

A lorry with high wire sides cut through the mob. A new group of bobbies jumped from it, swinging their sticks over the people’s heads and shouting mocking words that caused the crowd to shrink back. The bobbies promptly dropped the tailgate. A grinding sound resonated through the air.

A man behind Ethel grumbled, “Next thing, those women’ll want a seat in parliament.”

Ethel’s throat tightened and her heart pounded as she watched the bobbies drag some women by their hair, push and shove the rest, and throw them into the back of the lorry. They cried out, but the bobbies paid little attention to their pleas. After slamming the large doors shut, the officers climbed onto the running boards. The lorry with its passengers sped away.

Within minutes, the market had cleared of all the observers. Placards and posters with bold black letters spelling Votes for Women lay strewn across the dirty street.

Tears welled up in Ethel’s eyes. “Oh, Mum. Those poor women! What are they guilty of—speaking their minds and wanting to have an opinion? Surely we’re not that feared.”

With the afternoon spent, Ethel and Mum boarded their train and rode most of the way home to Enfield in silence. As the train chugged into the Enfield station, Ethel began to gather her bags.

“I’m going back into London on Friday for Elsie’s final medical appointment. I hope we don’t run into that hostility again. I don’t want to expose Elsie to it.”

“You’ll be fine, luv,” Mum said. “Just keep away from the square.”

Ethel knew it would take more than staying away from the square to avoid suffragists. They could appear at the most unexpected times and surprising places. Only yesterday, she’d read in the London Times that 153 women were arrested on Downing Street for rioting; one, an elderly woman, was in a self-propelled invalid chair. Ethel smiled, in spite of the horror of the incident. She would delight in being that woman’s nurse.

The sun shone brightly when Ethel and Elsie stepped down from the train onto the London platform a few days later. Elsie, petite with long brown wavy hair held back by barrettes, attracted people with her quick smile and big eyes. Ethel couldn’t help thinking that Elsie, as trusting as she was, would stand and chat with anybody, especially when she could announce she was getting new shoes.

A magician standing on a red box caught Elsie’s attention. An inquisitive child by nature, she squealed with delight when he noticed her. She laughed as she watched him work wonders with his high black hat and long silver cane. He had rabbits, doves, many flags and silk scarves. He knew his trade well. A dozen or more people applauded him, and Elsie jumped with obvious excitement. A keen child with infectious laughter—Ethel enjoyed watching her.

Standing in front of a wooden street bench, Ethel brushed accumulated dust and bits of twig off the surface. Lifting her hand to wave, she remembered how well Elsie had fared through the long six weeks of scarlet fever. She’d cried with her sore throat and headache but had tolerated the rash well. Seeing her today, jumping with joy at the magician’s tricks, made it easy to forget she was ever a sickly child.

“Come on. We’d better go,” Ethel called, looking across the street to the big clock set into the wall of the ancient stone building.

“No! No!” Elsie shouted.

“Yes, dear,” Ethel said. “Right now.”

Elsie headed toward her mother. “He is so funny.”

“Yes, that magician was very good,” Ethel said and laughed. “I don’t think I’ve seen such antics since I was a child. I’m glad you enjoyed the man with the balloons and funny hat, sweetheart.”

“Yes, Mummy. Can the funny man come with us?” Elsie asked.

“I’m afraid not, dear. He’s going to make other little girls laugh, and we need to get those new shoes before we’re off to the doctor’s office to hear how well you’re doing.”

Doctor Austin hurriedly flipped through a pile of papers in a large file as though looking for a particular one. “I’d like to take a little extra time with you, Miss Kemp, if that’s possible. I’ll try to be brief, but there’s a few things we have to talk about.”

“Oh?” Ethel looked straight at him.

“First,” the doctor raised his eyebrows, “how is Tom doing?”

“In his last letter, he told me how much he enjoys his butcher shop. He did say his cough is back, but other than that, he’s enjoying Canada.”

The doctor sighed. “I think about him often.” He frowned and put his finger to his chin. “Now for Elsie. I have the results from her last test.”

At the mention of her name, Elsie came to her mother’s side. With a puzzled expression, she looked up at the doctor.

Ethel took Elsie to a corner of the doctor’s office, gave her some blocks to play with, and then returned to her seat. “Yes, go on.” Ethel leaned forward.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the bacteria that causes scarlet fever can also initiate other conditions. Unfortunately, Elsie has developed a weak heart, and it’s something we have to watch.” The doctor raised a hand to prevent interruption. “This is not unusual. We knew there was a problem from Elsie’s initial medical examinations, but I didn’t see it as a crisis until now.”

“I thought she was coming along just fine.” Ethel pressed a hand to her chest, her own heart pounding fast.

“There’s always caution following scarlet fever or any childhood disease, as you well know. I don’t want to alarm you unduly, but now…now since my last examination, I’m certain she has a greater problem.” The doctor paused. “I’m sorry, but I feel she is at risk.”

“At risk? What does at risk mean?” Scenes of her family’s sorrow fled through Ethel’s mind when she remembered her older brother’s death 11 years ago. The doctor had told Pa that Will had fainted and then died due to a weakened heart, probably caused from an earlier bout of influenza. He was only 16 years old, with his whole life ahead of him. Ethel caught a sob in her throat. Could that happen to Elsie? Oh, God forbid it!

“Scarlet fever can stress the kidneys and the heart.” The doctor broke into her thoughts. “And we don’t know a lot about why these two organs are affected more than others. But we do know that a patient who’s had scarlet fever should have special care following the disease—especially a child. We have to admit, Elsie did have quite a serious bout. And we want to be sure she can lead a healthy and active life as she grows up.” Shuffling his papers, the doctor continued, “You’ll know all this, of course, from your nursing experience.”

“Yes, I understand. But do you think that in Elsie’s case it’s so serious?” Ethel asked.

“I’m afraid so. I’m relieved to have had the time to determine this.”

Ethel cleared her throat and rubbed her hands together as if warming them. “What are you saying? I mean, you’re aware that I’ve arranged passage to Canada in a short time. Is there something that can be done before then?”

“No, there isn’t. Well, not immediately anyway.” The doctor came out from behind his desk and sat on the corner. He looked over at Elsie, then to Ethel. “What I’m going to suggest will be difficult to hear.”

“Yes?” Ethel straightened her back. “Go on.”

“Your family situation is very common. Individual members of a family are often sick with various conditions that need different care. Tom, for instance, needed to leave England to look after his lungs. He was still a young man with a chance to work and save for his family. But staying here with his condition, as well as continually being exposed to disease, would have limited any chance of recovery for him.”

“I understand that. But what does that mean for Elsie?”

“Let me continue. You should go to Canada and get yourself settled. Elsie, on the other hand, because of her health should not go, just yet.”

“No!” Ethel stood. The chair legs screeched on the linoleum floor. “I won’t hear of it.”

“Now, just think this through.”

“No, Doctor Austin. I will not leave Elsie behind, if this is what you’re suggesting. And that’s final. My goodness, how could I even consider it? How could I survive being separated from her?” Ethel lowered her head. “And what would people say?”

She quickly turned away, as if to free herself from this distressing situation. Her heart raced. She wanted this conversation to stop.

Doctor Austin continued. “Perhaps you’re not aware of it, but people do this all the time. I have several patients who are leaving their children in England and travelling to Canada—for various reasons. Education is, of course, a big factor, and health is as well. Perhaps if you could talk to some of these people, they’d help you understand that it isn’t so terrible to want the best for your children, regardless of whether you’re the one who provides it or you arrange for someone else to do so. You just do what you have to do.”

Ethel looked at the doctor and swallowed. He was right, of course. A family of the neighbourhood came to mind. But not her family. There’d been enough separation. She wouldn’t have it. That was final.

“This might be all right for somebody else, but my goodness, Elsie’s only four years old. She needs me,” Ethel pleaded.

“Yes, she does. And I’m the first to admit that being together is the ideal situation. However, we’re dealing with reality. The tests show that her condition requires special monitoring. You won’t have the same access to medical care as you’ve had here, and I feel it’s crucial to examine and watch her regularly over the next few months. Also, it’ll be extremely stressful for her to endure a long crossing, plus the ongoing tension of adjusting to a new environment.”

“This your final word, Doctor?” Ethel asked.

“Yes. I’m afraid it is.”

“Then, perhaps I should consider not going? I could—”

“I’m recommending that you go on—without Elsie for the time being. Go to Tom. You can both prepare for Elsie to join you as soon as I feel she can travel. I’ll write to you and keep you informed.”

As though caught in a press, Ethel struggled to breathe. Tom and Elsie were the two most important people in her life. How could she tolerate separation from either one of them? Tom in Canada and Elsie here. Wherever she was, Ethel would have to be without one of the persons she loved. She sat still and closed her eyes, as if to shut out reality. Then, she gathered her skirts, walked over to Elsie and hugged her before turning towards the door.

“Thank you, Doctor. We mustn’t keep you any longer.” Ethel’s voice broke and she continued softly, “Should you have reason to change your mind about this, please be so kind as to inform me by post at Mum’s address in Enfield.”

“Very well. I’m sorry I couldn’t have better news for you. But I assure you, this solution is for the best.”

Ethel nodded goodbye to the doctor and then quietly directed Elsie down the dark corridor and out into the sunlight of a summer afternoon.

The day had grown humid, and the warm damp London air hung around them like a wet cover. They trudged along the crowded street.

Ethel tucked Elsie’s hand into hers, feeling small fingers lace through her own. “Don’t you worry none,” she said to Elsie, juggling her bag and purse in her other hand, “we’ll work something out, sweetheart.”

“What, Mummy?”

“About what the doctor said.”

“He’s playing pretend,” Elsie scoffed as she toddled along beside Ethel.

“We’ll talk about it later, dear. Right now, we have to hurry to reach our train.”

The engine sat belching steam, beyond the massive gateway. They quickly made their way up the steps and entered the carriage, Ethel clutching two return tickets in her hand. After finding a seat, she settled Elsie beside her. Elsie picked at the needlework on the cape of her navy serge box coat and tugged at her cotton bonnet, causing it to tip and release curls to fall around her freckled face. She wiggled in the seat, parted her cape and quickly straightened her neatly ironed bodice-dress. Wide eyed with a raised brow, she looked at her mother.

“I’m good today, Mummy. See? I’m better, ’n’t I?” Elsie asked through tears.

“I think you are, sweetheart.” Ethel put her arm around Elsie to give her a hug. “And that makes me happy.” Elsie’s bonnet suddenly took on the appearance of a tilted halo, and Ethel smiled.

“I’m not sick, I’m not, Mummy,” Elsie said.

“I’m glad you don’t have those nasty old headaches anymore,” Ethel replied.

“My scarlet fever’s all better.”

Ethel laughed. “It’s been a long time since you’ve been sick. Your dolly doesn’t get hugged nearly as much now that you’re feeling better.” She drew Elsie close.

Elsie rummaged through Ethel’s bag to retrieve her doll and a couple of picture books. Ethel felt her push tightly against her side as she snuggled under her arm. After a bit of time, she stretched out on the seat and went to sleep. Ethel noticed how relaxed she looked in spite of the train’s noise and jostling.

The doctor’s news had been harsh. It was just unthinkable. She simply couldn’t bear it. Tears streamed down her cheeks. She reached over and pushed a moist lock of hair from Elsie’s brow.

“I can’t think of life without you, Elsie,” Ethel whispered as she rested her head back against the seat. She’d be sad to leave the family, but now Elsie…it was too much. Sobs rose in her throat and she swallowed them back. Oh God, how could she do this?

Tom’s voice echoed, “It’s a chance of a lifetime…I mean, to go to Canada with the opportunity for jobs. Everything I’ve read boasts a land of plenty. Their printed posters say it’s a perfect place to live, with plenty of land for everybody and a chance to make a good life.”

Ethel said softly, “But, without you, Elsie, how can we even enjoy any of that? It’d be like leaving a piece of ourselves back here.”

That’s exactly what she would be doing, and it grieved her. She sighed and longed for the quietness of her church. More than anything else now, she needed to sit in her familiar pew and ask God to help her accept this decision and do the impossible.