One was unmade. I was glad that I was going to be alone. It was too early in the term for many patients. Sister told me to undress and then left me.

A fire was burning in one corner. The grate was built three or four feet off the ground so that one could see the flames when lying down. A small print of Botticelli’s Nativity hung over the bedside cupboard, which held two Bibles and two chambers.

After I had undressed and got into bed, I took the picture down and looked at the angels uniting and kissing with such love. The ones on the roof were singing. Sister came in and wanted to know what I was doing with the picture. When she had hung it up again, she took my clothes and suitcase away and then came back with someone else.

“This is Nurse Robins,” she said, “who’s going to look after you.”

I looked at Nurse Robins. She was small too, but much thinner than Sister. She had a pointed face with round red cheeks, and her hair was hot brown. She smiled at me shyly and suddenly looked like a fox. Then Sister went out and left us alone.

I had my temperature taken again, but this time I v/as not told what it was. A dot was put down on the chart which hung outside the door.

Nurse Robins said very little. I wondered if Sister had told her about me. She took away the water I had washed in and came back with a glass of hot milk and some bread and butter. I was hungry by now and wished she had brought more.

I wanted to read; I had nothing, so I opened the cupboard and looked on the top shelf for one of the Bibles. The chambers loomed like horrible wells underneath, and a smell of carbolic and paper and pinewood came out.

“O Lord, there is no god like unto thee,” I read, and then, “As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child; even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.”

I read sentences, turning over large lumps of the book. They made a strange picture in my mind.

I let the Bible drop and just lay back thinking. London seemed far off and I could hardly believe that I had gone to Devonshire. I was docile enough now.

After I had cleaned my teeth and Nurse Robins had switched off the light, I stared into the fire. It glinted on the shiny walls and ceiling. The open window made the blind billow and swell. I clutched at the peace. I would be safe here for one more night.

         

The maid woke me with her loud knocking. She lumbered into the room with pail and broom and began to rake out the fire. Soon the room was filled with dust and her smell.

I longed for her to go. When at last she had finished I ran over the empty bed and pushed the window up at the bottom. Cold, bright air came rushing in. I drank it up, and was only just able to get back to my bed before Nurse Robins opened the door.

She made me wash, then brought me bread and butter and marmalade and tea.

I lay in bed all that morning, doing nothing, feeling bored, but thankful I was there. The doctor came before lunch to look at me. He had queer, pale eyes, and his red face clashed with his red hair. He breathed heavily through his nose. He looked right into me and smiled, but all he said was, “You can get up this afternoon as your temperature’s down, but stay inside, don’t go out.”

Nurse Robins brought my clothes after lunch.