Elizabeth said evenly, “She is a grown woman, Mary. She has the right to refuse treatment. If she wishes to be left alone, then we shall leave her be. When she wants something, she may ring the bell, and we will attend her.”
Mary raised her brows.
“What is it, my dear? What have I said that has so affected you?”
Mary said quickly, “No… nothing is wrong. I am only surprised, that is all. But what you say is correct. Mamma is a grown woman, and if she does not wish to be coddled, then we must respect her wishes. I will cease importuning her every hour or so. I have likely driven her to distraction.”
Elizabeth asked, “And what of Papa? Did Dr. Edgerton leave any instructions?”
“He did.”
Mary crossed to a small desk and shuffled through the papers piled upon it. “Here are his written directions.”
Elizabeth took care to read every line, then asked, “Did he show you precisely how the percussion is to be applied?”
“He did,” Mary replied. “Turn around, Lizzy, and I will show you.”
Elizabeth turned her back. Mary cupped her hands and began to clap firmly along her sister’s back, from shoulder to waist.
Elizabeth began to cough.
Mary laughed softly. “You see? It works. It is meant to loosen the thick mucus, so that he may cough it up.”
Elizabeth grinned. “That actually felt very good, sister.”
Her expression grew serious again. “When was the last time Papa had hot fomentations and the percussion treatment?”
“He has not had any treatments yet. I have been caring for Mr. Collins, and in Mamma’s eyes his life is more important than our father’s, for he is the young heir, and upon him rests all our fortunes.”
Mary’s voice tightened with frustration.
“Mrs. Hill has been occupied with the house as well, for both Alice and Ruthie have not been able to come to work. They, too, have fallen ill. Mamma attempted the treatments, but… You know how she is. She was careless with our father and burned his skin, and afterward, he refused to let her come near him. That is when she sent for you.”
Elizabeth asked, “How is it that you have not caught the illness, Mary?”
Dr. Edgerton advised us to tie a scarf over our faces before we enter the sickroom,” Mary replied. “It has answered very well, for I have not fallen ill. Mamma declared the doctor’s advice ridiculous and refused to do as he instructed, and now… she is ill.”
Elizabeth stood. “Very well. I will ask Hill to heat the water for the fomentations. Where are the rags I am to use?”
“They are piled upon the hall table, just outside Papa’s room,” Mary said. Then she hesitated. “Lizzy, do you have a scarf you can use?”
“I do not,” Elizabeth admitted, “but I will use one of Papa’s neckcloths. I will cut it to the appropriate length.”
Elizabeth went at once to ask for hot water, then hurried upstairs to change into an old walking dress. When she returned, Mary helped her tie the neckcloth securely over her face.
Then Elizabeth entered her father’s room.
She was unprepared for the sight of him.
He looked small and shriveled, his complexion was gray, and his breathing was labored. She heard a harsh rattle each time he drew in a breath.
When Hill entered with the hot water, Elizabeth set to work at once, first applying the fomentations to his chest, then instructing him to turn so she might apply the treatment to his back as well.
When she had finished, she began the percussion. It was difficult work, and her arms soon tired, but she persisted until at last he began to cough.
He reached for a clean handkerchief and coughed so violently that Elizabeth feared it might exhaust him entirely. But after a few moments, his breathing eased.
She then prevailed upon him to drink the hot echinacea tea prescribed by Dr. Edgerton, which she had sweetened with honey, knowing it would ease his throat.
