“Mr. Brannon,” Roman said as they reached the wagon. “I’m certainly glad you’re here to help. We had a generous donor provide all of this, and I knew I’d need your help with unloading it.”
The older man straightened and dusted off his pant legs. “I’m glad to lend a hand with this. I’ve been digging a root cellar all morning, and it’ll be good to do something different.” He reached up to grab a large crate and hoisted it to his shoulder. “Just follow me.”
Judith, Claudette, and Roman made several trips along with Mr. Brannon. They brought the supplies into a small room that had been added to the back of the house. There were numerous shelves, some rather bare. Judith noted there were stacks of towels and washcloths on one, rolled bandages and other medical supplies on another. What looked to be homemade soap was stacked on another shelf, along with jars of what she figured was soft soap.
The sisters had everything neatly organized, including one entire wall of various food goods. These were some of the shelves that looked rather empty.
“We’ve enough flour, sugar, and oats to keep you for a month or more,” Roman said when Sister Agnes appeared again. “There’s also an order of pork to be delivered tomorrow and a dozen laying hens.”
“Oh, wonderful. We will certainly appreciate that. Some of the older hens have stopped laying, and I’m afraid they’re headed to the soup pot,” the sister said, smiling.
“Now we will go and check on the children. These things can be unpacked by my mother and sister.” He looked to Claudette, who nodded with enthusiasm.
“We’ll have it all put away in no time,” his sister replied as their mother joined them.
“There’s plenty of hot water on the stove, Roman. And Sister Agnes has a stack of towels on the table. Washcloths too.”
“I’ve also put a basin of washing-up water in each room and a bar of soap. I know you said it was important to wash our hands.”
“Wonderful. I’ll grab my things, and we’ll go visit the children.” He went to where he’d left the large black bag.
Judith took that moment to retrieve her apron from the wagon. She drew it on over her head and tied a big bow in back. She wasn’t really all that sure what to expect. She knew how things were ordered in Philadelphia at the state-owned children’s home, but here with this private institution it might be completely different.
“We should start here with the infants,” Sister Agnes said, taking them down the hall. “There are four, and they’re all very sick. I fear one or two might not make it through the night.”
She opened the door to a simple but adequate room. There were cribs against the far and side walls. A single rocking chair was situated in the middle of the room, and a changing table and two dressers were against the wall to the right of the door.
Judith felt her heart go out to these little ones who had noway of explaining how bad they felt. Nor could they understand what was wrong with them.
Roman started with the first infant. The head of the crib had a card that readBaby Boy1. With practiced precision, Roman unwrapped the blanket that had been used to swaddle him and drew him out. The poor child was wearing just a diaper, making it easy for Judith to see he was covered in a red rash. The infant whimpered but seemed to have little energy to do more.
The examination was quick but thorough. Roman’s expression showed he wasn’t at all happy with the state of the baby. “We need to bring the fever down. He’s quite warm. Sister Agnes, I see you aren’t resting. Would you bring the little wash basin you use for the babies? Fill it with tepid water.”
The nun immediately left. Judith looked to Roman. “What can I do?”
“Bring the lamp.” Roman took a tongue depressor and forced the baby’s mouth open. “Shine it here so I can better see his throat.”
Judith did as he asked, but the affect wasn’t all that helpful. She remembered a story she’d heard from one of the doctors in Philadelphia. He told of a time when he’d had to perform surgery in the home of one of his patients. “A mirror. We need a mirror.”
“Why?”
“So I can reflect a pinpoint of light to where you need it. I saw it done in Philadelphia.”
“Claudette has a mirror. It’s in a little case Daniel gave her. She keeps it in her purse.”
Judith put the lamp on the table, then went to the back room where she’d left Roman’s sister. “Claudette, can I borrow your mirror? Roman says Daniel gave you one.”
“Of course.” She reached down to the reticule that she’d attached to her waistband. She pulled the drawstrings apart and quickly produced the case, opening it to reveal the mirror.“Daniel got this for my birthday. He says Queen Victoria has one very similar. At least, that’s what the store owner in Chicago told him.”
Judith smiled. “That’s a beautiful gift.”
“Whatever are you going to use it for?”
“To reflect light from the lamp. Roman’s trying to see into the baby’s mouth.”
“How marvelous.” Claudette shook her head. “I would never have thought of that.”
Judith took the case and hurried back to where Roman was. She picked up the lamp and angled the mirror to reflect the light into the child’s mouth.
