Daniel roused and sat up with a stretch, immediately turning his attention to his patient. He assessed Richard’s condition and inquired about his family.
“Mary and Tom are here, Daniel; they’re in the waiting room.” she handed Daniel the small basket. “This is from Elizabeth to keep up your strength.”
Daniel was pleased and smiled at her. “Thank you; I’ll enjoy this later.”
Rose arrived carrying a tray with coffee and clean mugs to replace the old ones from the previous day. She smiled when she saw Ruth sitting next to Daniel. Rose had been very diligent in keeping the ward well-supplied throughout the night, and Daniel thanked her effusively.
“Let me have a cup of hot coffee and I’ll go directly to speak with Mary and Tom.”
Ruth saw that Richard responded to hearing his wife’s name, and she turned to him. “Mary and Tom are full of hope and praying for your fast recovery.”
The corners of his mouth tipped upward at the thought, but his eyes remained closed.
Daniel raked a hand through his hair and stretched to wake up, as Ruth brought him a fresh steaming cup of coffee. As he gratefully sipped it, she told him of Matthew, Elizabeth and Jimmy and how magnificent the horses were—how King looked exactly like Muse. He listened closely, his vivid blue eyes never leaving hers.
Heavy footsteps sounded in the ward, and they both knew it was Alistair, who was dressed as if he were going to meet the mayor and other dignitaries. With only a nod at their direction he approached Richard and inspected the tube in his throat, emitting a snort of grudging admiration.
“It seems your intubation worked, Daniel. I had my doubts, and truth be told I think you were rather lucky.”
“Lucky, you say?” Daniel said, one eye squinting as he looked at Alistair disdainfully. “I’d say it was more simply doing the right thing.” He finished his coffee and stood. Ruth could tell he was deeply annoyed, and she didn’t blame him. “I’ll go see Mary now. She and her son are in the waiting room if you care to join me, Alistair.”
He shook his head, “I shall leave them in your competent hands,” the words sounded more like an insult than a compliment and Ruth wondered why Alistair had such animosity toward Daniel. Alistair stole a glance at Ruth as Daniel left the ward.
“Well, my dear,” Alistair puffed himself up, “the patient seems to have improved. I suppose I was wrong about the intubation, but you see it’s a risky procedure.” He let out a sigh and for a moment Ruth thought he might have a bit of compassion.
“I’m impressed, Alistair,” Ruth said suddenly, catching Alistair’s attention.
“Excuse me, what?” he asked, caught by surprise.
“It is not easy for people to admit when they’re wrong, and I admire that you are able to do so.” Ruth smiled and placed her empty coffee mug on the table.
“Are you poking fun at my expense?” Alistair’s eyes narrowed, but his words held curiosity.
“No, not at all,” Ruth assured him. “It says in Proverbs 16:8,Pridegoeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.You can read it yourself in the Bible.”
He pulled on his already straightened jacket and lifted his head pridefully. “Pride before destruction you say. Well, I certainly am not there,” his laugh was deep and self-gratified. “As you can easily see for yourself.”
He leaned further toward her with a disturbing twinkle in his eyes, “I sense you are of a more mature and discerning taste, are you not?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Ruth murmured, stepping away and making her way to Richard’s bedside.
“Oh, I see,” he chuckled in amusement. “Playing hard to get, I see. All the traits of a proper lady.”
Ruth didn’t like the unwelcome innuendo.
“Don’t you think it’s wonderful that Richard’s condition has improved?” Ruth said brightly, changing the subject and altogether regretting her conversation with him.
“Yes, it’s a doctor’s proudest moment when a patient is healed, of course,” Alistair said blandly.
“I have been so worried about him,” Ruth confessed.
“As was I, Ruth,” Alistair smiled and showed his teeth. “It seems we share a common interest.”
“When do you think the tube can be removed?” Ruth looked at Richard, thinking the tube must be incredibly uncomfortable.
Alistair noticed that her full attention had turned to Richard and he didn’t like it.
“I assume, Daniel will remove it later,” he said blithely. “It is good for the clinic’s reputation to have a patient cleared of diphtheria.”
