Pearl Fishers by Robin Jenkins

Author:Robin Jenkins [Robin Jenkins]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780857900227
Publisher: Birlinn
Published: 2011-12-08T16:00:00+00:00

Twenty-one

THE DOCTOR’S car passed Miss McDonald’s on the drive. He gave her a smile and a wave but she was too preoccupied with her thoughts to notice. Had she come, as the minister’s sister, to offer her help to these outcasts who had come into the parish? He hoped so but doubted it.

He was met at the back door by as attractive a young woman as he had seen in a long time; not just attractive, but intelligent and mannerly.

‘I’m Effie,’ she said, ‘Effie Williamson. Morag’s sister.’

‘I’m Doctor Baxter.’

He had noticed immediately that in spite of her brave smiles she was under a great strain, and had been for years. You didn’t come from origins like hers, and lead the kind of life she had, without having had to endure a great deal. He felt moved by her lack of self-pity; she had plenty of self-respect, but not a trace of self-pity. He was greatly taken with Miss Effie Williamson.

She took him through to the big room.

The two children got to their feet. Not only was she well-mannered herself, she was training the children to be well-mannered too.

‘Hello, children,’ he said, ‘I see you’ve been playing ludo. Who won?’

‘It’s not finished yet,’ said the little girl, earnestly. ‘But Eddie’s got more men home.’

‘I threw lots of sixes,’ said Eddie, modestly.

Dr Baxter had played ludo often when his own children were young.

‘Well, young lady, let me have a look at you.’

He lifted Morag onto a chair and sounded her with his stethoscope.

Effie watched anxiously. ‘She’s got a bad cough, doctor.’

He had been afraid of tuberculosis. ‘We’ll soon get rid of that.’

What he wanted to prescribe not only for her but for the little boy too, and for the young woman, was at least a month in this comfortable house, with a proper bed to sleep in, good food to eat, and plenty of fresh air.

He would have a word with Gavin.

‘It’s not TB, is it?’ whispered Effie.

‘No, but we’ll have to be careful. How are you keeping yourself, Effie?’

‘Oh, I’m fine. I’m never ill.’

If she was she’d never admit it. The children depended on her. That was a good part of the trouble.

‘I hear you’re pearl-fishers.’

‘Not any longer, I think. The mussels are getting very scarce.’

‘I believe your mother and grandfather are with you?’

‘Yes. Grandfather’s very ill but he won’t go into hospital.’

‘I understand. Well, I’ll send something for the cough by Willie the Bus, and a tonic. I’ll leave a note for Gavin. Tell him I’ll call in tomorrow evening and have a chat with him. In the meantime, young lady, you take it easy.’

He scribbled a note for Gavin.

She saw him to the door.

‘How are you getting on with Gavin?’

He thought she blushed, but she was too tanned to tell.

‘All right. He’s very kind. He’s fond of the children.’

And he’s a fool, thought the doctor, if he doesn’t become fond of you.

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