“Not at all,” Mary nodded, wiping her eyes, “I don’t mind.”
“I’d like to examine both of you before you leave,” Daniel informed them. While Daniel examined Mary and Tom, Ruth collected her things, including the alchemy book she found, and let Rose know she was going to leave with the Bloomers.
Daniel gave Mary and Tom a clean bill of health, safe from diphtheria. He allowed them to leave and take Ruth with them. She felt bad leaving Daniel at the clinic, but she knew he wanted her to rest and to be with Matthew.
Chapter Twenty-Two
It was hard to see Ruth leave, and part of Daniel wanted to go after the carriage to tell her he had changed his mind. He wanted her to stay as much as he wanted her at home with his son. Ruth had worked a lot harder than what he’d anticipated for the day, and she needed to spend time with Matthew. He knew how painful it was for her to see Richard suffer, especially after she told him about her experience with her father’s illness. Ruth would also be able to tell Jimmy and Elizabeth directly about Richard’s condition.
“Dr. Grant?” Daniel looked up and saw Rose peer at him, “I’ve finished the last room, and it has been cleaned and sterilized.”
“Thank you, Rose,” Daniel smiled at her. It seemed Rose noticed, as a few minutes later she brought in a tray with a small platter of dried fruit, buttered biscuits, ham and bread, along with a mug and a kettle of coffee.
Daniel wondered what took Alistair so long. In matters of medical emergencies, the mayor was to be informed immediately, and by now Daniel should have received a report back from his partner. It worried him, as the longer this took, the quicker the disease could spread to schools and from there to the rest of the town.
His eyes darted to the platter of food that Rose prepared. He brought his chair to the table and dug into the food, realizing he was famished. He knew when Ruth got back to the ranch, Elizabeth would spoil her, and he smiled.
At last, heavy footsteps caught Daniel’s attention. Alistair walked in as proud as a lion that had just devoured its feast. His face revealed no message, so it was difficult to tell how the mayor took the news about the disease.
Alistair washed his hands with exaggeration, always one to ridicule Daniel’s firm belief in cleanliness and bacteria, and slowly sauntered into the ward with a casual glance in Richard’s direction. The patient’s chest labored with every breath.
“How did the mayor respond?” Daniel took a sip of coffee.
“Really?” Alistair ignored Daniel’s question and raised a haughty eyebrow at him “You’re dining with a diphtheria patient in the clinic? Doesn’t that contradict your theories of sanitation and germ containment?”
“Actually,” Daniel responded bluntly, “If you notice the washbowl nearby, you’d be more observant about bacterial infection and hygiene.”
“I beg your pardon,” Alistair blinked in disdain, his nose lifted in the air.
“Sit and join me, Alistair,” Daniel offered and indicated an empty wood chair. “While Richard is sleeping and his breathing his stable, I think you might enjoy some coffee. I anticipate that his breathing will worsen.”
“I shall not, since I don’t drink coffee. I drink tea, thank you,” he said with an air of derision that Daniel didn’t appreciate, and he sighed.
“Suit yourself,” he leaned back in the chair and looked at Alistair with a slight frown. He tilted his head he asked, “You don’t think Richard’s condition is serious?”
“As I’ve said before,” Alistair affirmed with a shake of his head and his mustache twitched, “I think you are exaggerating, and this ailment is nothing more than a little scare. Richard will recover as all patients do.”
He paused dramatically. “Actually, now that I think about it, I wouldn’t mind some tea.”
Daniel stood and went to find Rose who was busy at the back of the clinic in the small kitchen. He asked her to bring tea for Alistair. He didn’t mind the quick stretch, as he’d been by Richard’s side the whole morning. Richard’s chest still sounded breathless as he panted for short gasps of air. How did Alistair not see how Richard suffered? Although Alistair didn’t witness the pain that consumed Mary and Tom, Daniel wondered, not for the first time, if he had any compassion at all, or ever had. Being a doctor was not only a matter of science, it was also a matter of compassion to help those who were sick.
“So,” Daniel pressed once Alistair was served his tea and he had drained his own mug of coffee, “what did the mayor have to say?”
Alistair thought for a moment and replied, “The mayor will think about it.”
“Think about it!” Daniel was aghast. “Did you explain everything?”
“I did, actually, yes, including your hysteria.” Alistair welcomed fresh tea that Rose placed on the table. “He will investigate the disease and its effects from those areas that have dealt with this illness. He has already liaised with Laramie County Memorial Hospital. I expect an answer by tomorrow.”
Daniel felt like a rug had been pulled out from under him.Tomorrow? Was the mayor in his right mind?
“I find this hard to believe, Alistair,” Daniel took a sidelong glance at Richard. “How can you not see how sick Richard is. I fear he has worsened, and I may need to intubate him.”
Alistair almost spat out his tea. “Intubate him? Are you mad, Daniel?”
“I’m quite serious,” Daniel glowered, disgusted by the man’s lack of insight. “You’ve been a doctor for years. Surely, you can see that intubation may be the only way to save Richard’s life.”
Alistair huffed and the corner of his mouth twisted upward. “I understand, but intubation—really! It is dangerous and the risk of pneumonia is too high. It would ruin our reputation!”
