Rose shook her head. “I only told them that he hadn’t been feeling well all morning and Dr. Grant had been tending to him.”
“Good,” Ruth gave her a small smile and she tried to boost Rose, who looked as if she were going to cry at any moment. “You did well not to say anything.”
“I’ll carry on now,” Rose suggested and wiped her eyes. She took the books and began to stack them inside the old cabinet. Ruth gave her arm a comforting gentle squeeze. She realized that Rose was battling her feelings and fears and had no idea how to handle this terrible situation. Ruth didn’t blame her. No one was ever ready to face something as horrible as this.
Ruth took in a deep breath, pulled down the cloth that covered her nose and mouth, and said a silent prayer. She knew this was going to be difficult and she needed to draw on the Lord’s strength to be strong enough to help Mary and Tom, who greeted her with worried smiles as she entered the consulting room. Tom was seated on the physician’s chair while Mary sat in a wobbly oaken ladderback chair.
“Ruth,” Mary stood and embraced her in a tight hug, “It’s so good to see you again.”
Tom nodded excitedly. “Dad said you wanted candy, so I got some for you.”
“You’ve grown so much, Tom,” Ruth observed fondly and received the offered candy. “Soon you’ll be so tall I’ll be looking up at you.”
“I thought Dr. Grant would see us?” Mary’s face was worried and she began to frown. “Is he still coming? What’s happened?”
“Mary, I need you and Tom to sit, please,” Ruth said gently and led Mary back to the chair she’d been seated in. “Richard is not well and Dr. Grant is busy with him. He will come here to see you as soon as he can. I am here to talk to you until he comes in.”
Mary’s hand flew to her mouth and worry instantly filled her eyes. She asked, “Is it that bad? Is he in surgery? Will he be alright?”
Ruth shook her head gently and saw Tom’s face pale, “Richard is in the ward and that section of the ward has been isolated,” Ruth drew in a quick breath, having no idea how they’d take the news, “because he has diphtheria.” She almost choked over the words and struggled to keep herself composed. She had to be strong for Mary and Tom, who both stared at her in shock.
“What are you saying?” tears pooled in Mary’s eyes and she buried her face in her hands. “What do you mean? How? How did this happen?”
“We don’t know, Mary. I’m so sorry,” Ruth put her arm around Mary and gave her a warm hug.
“Dad’s sick?” Tom said, his voice was hoarse, and his words came out in a croak. “When can we see him?”
“I’m sorry, Tom you will not be able to see him, not yet.” Ruth advised. “Especially you, Tom, because you’re still young and you’re more at risk than your mother.”
“I want to see him, Ruth,” Mary begged sorrowfully as tears appeared. “I need to see him.”
Ruth tried to keep a brave face, and from crying herself. She knew better than anyone what they both were feeling. She noticed that Tom’s eyes were damp, and his bottom lip quivered as he fought back tears.
“Let me quickly speak to Dr. Grant,” Ruth gave a small smile. “He doesn’t know you are here yet; I had to come and see you first.”
Mary nodded and drew her son into her arms. As Ruth left the room, she heard the muffled sounds of weeping, and although she felt her chest swell with emotion she suppressed, she could no longer halt tears of her own dampened her cheeks.
Ruth wiped her eyes and found Daniel in the ward giving Richard ice to suck on. Ruth thought he looked exhausted, but she needed to tell him and as she approached, he saw her and seemed surprised.
“Finished already?” he asked in a tired whisper, looking strained. Ruth shook her head and flinched at Richard’s rasping breaths. She explained what happened in the consulting room.
She followed Daniel out to meet Mary and Tom, who had managed to compose themselves and dry their eyes.
“I’m terribly sorry, Mary,” Daniel’s voice was low and compassionate. “It isn’t wise to see Richard now; I don’t want you or Tom exposed to this highly contagious illness. It seems we caught it early in Richard and he is fighting it. I believe he has a good chance at recovery.”
“When can we see him?” Mary whispered, her eyes pleading.
Daniel stole a quick glance at Ruth. “I think it best that you go home and rest. Come back tomorrow and we’ll see how he’s faring.”
Mary’s face filled with sorrow and tears started again. Ruth went to her side to place a consoling hand over Mary’s.
“You must be strong, Mary,” Ruth urged her. “We’re all praying for Richard.”
“Ruth, I want you to go with the Mary and Tom,” Daniel said, and Ruth noted the tired lines on his face.
“But what of you,” Ruth protested softly, she didn’t want to leave him here. He needed to rest, too.
“I need you to check on Matthew and relieve Elizabeth.” Daniel’s gaze melted her heart and for a moment she felt his pain. “Jimmy and Elizabeth must be worried, and I would like you to rest,” he murmured and turning to Mary, he asked, “Would you mind taking Ruth back with you and bringing her back with you in the morning?”
