The Schoolmaster's Daughter by Jackie French

Author:Jackie French
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2020-04-08T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 17

ANGUS!

‘Tonsillitis,’ said Dr Weaver, peering down Angus’s throat.

Hannah stared from the doorway. Angus had complained of a sore throat this morning, but by lunchtime he was feverish, and Mama had sent Hannah for the doctor, and then to the school to tell Papa. The first president of the United States, George Washington, had died of tonsillitis — the bad form of it, called quinsy, when the infection ulcerated.

Mama and Dr Weaver moved out of Angus’s room into the hallway, next to Hannah and Papa, so Angus wouldn’t hear them talking.

‘It’s not quinsy, is it?’ Mama asked worriedly from behind her veil — she had put her hat on before the doctor arrived.

Dr Weaver hesitated. He was old, with white hair and beard, but Mr Harris had said he was as good a doctor as you’d find north of Sydney. ‘No sign of any ulceration yet, but I don’t like his fever. He’s not had this before?’

‘No,’ said Papa.

‘And he’s been otherwise healthy?’

‘Very healthy,’ said Mama, gazing back into Angus’s room.

Angus’s eyes were shut and he seemed to be dozing, but he muttered too.

‘Then he should be up and about in a couple of weeks with good nursing,’ Dr Weaver said, though he sounded uncertain. ‘I can give you something to ease the pain and fever, but it’s mostly a matter of keeping him cool and rested.’

‘I read about an operation,’ said Mama tentatively.

Papa looked at her with irritation. ‘I am sure Dr Weaver doesn’t need suggestions.’

But Dr Weaver was already nodding. ‘You’re right, Mrs Gilbert — an operation to remove the tonsils is best. But I’ve never done surgery like that, nor would any doctor want to attempt it on their own. I didn’t mention it because you’d need to take the lad down to Sydney.’

‘Do you think we should, sir?’ asked Papa.

‘I’m sorry, I simply can’t say. I can tell you though that if you do decide to take him to Sydney, it’s best to do it now, before he gets worse. It’s a two-day journey, even assuming there’s a ship leaving tonight or tomorrow and it doesn’t plan to call in at other ports. Brisbane is closer, of course, but I doubt you’d find an experienced surgeon there.’

‘Not a ship,’ said Mama quickly, then added, ‘I’m sorry. Our arrival here was . . . unfortunate. And ships are so often delayed by weather, or the need to wait for cargo.’

‘There is the train,’ said Dr Weaver. ‘It’s a good six-hour ride to get to the nearest railway station, but if you could get on tonight’s train you’d be in Sydney by late tomorrow. I could wire a colleague there.’

‘You really think this is advisable?’ Papa asked. ‘I confess I don’t like the idea of an operation.’

‘I can only say that if he were my son, I would take him to Sydney. He may recover perfectly well with no surgery needed — he probably will. But the surgery is said to be quick and recovery good.’ Dr Weaver hesitated, then added, ‘If the boy does go downhill it will be fast.

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