Lili by Niels Hoyer

Author:Niels Hoyer
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781910859261
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd
Published: 2017-11-10T05:00:00+00:00

XI

The next morning news came from Professor Kreutz in Dresden. Everything was ready for the patient’s reception. If the patient’s physical state allowed, the journey to Dresden might be undertaken immediately. But before going it was desirable to pay a visit to Doctor Karner, who had tested Andreas’ blood barely a fortnight previously, to enable him to take a test of the patient’s blood after the first operation.

Grete read the communication to Lili very slowly, her voice trembling with excitement.

“We will leave tomorrow morning, of course,” said Lili. “Good; but in that case we must call on Doctor Karner today.” Saying which, Grete hurried out of the room in order to telephone Dr Karner’s laboratory.

When she returned a few minutes later with the news that Dr Karner would not be available for another hour, she found Lili standing in front of the window holding Professor Kreutz’ letter in her hand.

“Lili, we can start at once. We could walk part of the distance. This will do you good.”

“No, no, not walk. I cannot yet show myself in the street.” And her eyes filled with tears.

On the way Grete mentioned quite incidentally that the Doctor’s assistant, to whom she had telephoned, had not understood her name. “It was, indeed, somewhat difficult to make it clear to her.”

It so happened that their taxi and Dr Karner’s car arrived at the laboratory at the same time.

“Good day, Doctor,” said Lili, immediately recognizing him and extending her hand.

“Good day to you, madam,” answered the Doctor, momentarily surprised, as if he were trying to remember her name.

Lili looked in front of her, then looked at Grete, and at last took courage to say: “I have come from Professor Arn’s nursing-home. I am Lili Sparre.” It was the first time that she had pronounced her name. She heard herself speaking. A feeling of shame overwhelmed her. “Don’t you recognize me, then, Doctor?”

“But of course, madam, of course,” answered Dr Karner, although it was obvious from his tone that he had not the least suspicion of the identity of the person standing before him.

“I understand it is a question of taking a blood test,” he continued nervously, and conducted the two ladies through the entrance hall and then into a waiting-room.

“Yes, Doctor; but are you still unable to recognize me?”

The Doctor only became more confused. “Sparre … Sparre … of course the name sounds familiar. Mr Sparre was here about a fortnight ago. He too was sent to me by Professor Arns. But I cannot call you to mind, madam.”

“The gentleman and I, Doctor, are, in fact, one and the same person,” stammered Lili.

“I beg your pardon.” Completely dumfounded, Dr Karner looked from one lady to the other – then looked at his watch, and made a quick bow. “Oh, excuse me a moment – the ladies are foreigners, of course.” And he bounded out of the waiting-room.

Beside herself with confusion, Lili looked at Grete. “I think I shall lose my reason.”

Grete laughed. “Your doctor is certainly of your opinion.

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