A Pocketful of Rye by A. J. Cronin

Author:A. J. Cronin [Cronin, A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Chapter Ten

The Zürich Kantonspital is agreeably situated on the Zürichberg, in a residential district high up on the left bank of the Limmat. An excellent site typically ill chosen, since approaching from the river by the interminable line of steep steps, you are half way to a coronary by the time you get there. The hospital is a massive structure, lamentably in the Swiss taste, with modern additions, offset by some tall and beautiful old trees, and to such patients as may be interested, it affords a striking view of three ancient churches; the Predigerkirche, the Grossmünster and the Fraumünster which, with the innumerable banks, suggest the split personality of this city – a devotion to both Mammon and the Lord.

On Saturday afternoon, of the following week, I came through the swing doors and out of the Medical Department with Daniel. It was a beautiful day and as the late autumn sunshine and crisp cool air greeted us he let out a long breath of relief.

‘Well, Dr Laurence, I’m glad that’s over.’

He gave a bit of a laugh and took my hand, an action which, I need not add, embarrassed me acutely, gave me what in Scotland is called the grue. I was not in the best of moods. After all my trouble in making the appointment I had been hung up for most of the afternoon with only two quick chances to telephone Lotte, trying to explain why I was in Zurich without seeing her, and getting pretty well told off for my pains. Still, in the circumstances, I could not do other than let him drag on to me.

‘Surely it wasn’t too bad?’ I said.

‘Oh, no. I liked Dr Lamotte. Very serious, with that way he has of reading right through you. But he gave me such a nice smile as I was leaving. He’s clever, isn’t he?’

‘He’s the tops,’ I said shortly. ‘ French-Swiss. They’re the best … intellectually.’

‘But I never thought he would send me in to all those young ladies, doing all sorts of things to me.’

‘Those girls are technicians … each trained to do a special test.’

‘Such as?’

‘Well, more or less everything, for example, find out all about your corpuscles, and of course your blood group.’

‘But couldn’t you have done that, Dr Laurence?’

‘Naturally, if I had their equipment. You’re a group A.B. if you want to know.’

‘Is that quite regular?’

‘Perfectly. It’s the least common of the blood groups.’

‘What group are you?’

‘I’m group O.’

‘They did seem rather interested in my blood.’ He reflected. ‘Perhaps it isn’t blue enough.’ He looked up as if expecting me to smile. ‘I hope Dr Lamotte gave you a good account of me.’

‘Of course he did,’ I said, freeing myself from his sweaty little clutch to give him a reassuring pat on the back. ‘We’ll have a chat about it presently.’

We walked through the avenue of plane trees, the dry fallen leaves crackling under our feet. I’d had nothing but a cold beef sandwich for lunch so I said:

‘We’ll have something to eat before we start back.

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