England, My EnglandLawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)
General
England, My England
Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)
England -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction; Short stories, English
“It does sometimes.” The child was shy of him, cold towards him.
“Well, dear, I’m sorry for that. I hope you try to bear it, and not
trouble mother too much.”
There was no answer. He looked at the knee. It was red and stiff.
“Of course,” he said, “I think we must have another doctor’s opinion.
And if we’re going to have it, we had better have it at once. Egbert,
do you think you might cycle in to Bingham for Doctor Wayne? I found
him very satisfactory for Winnie’s mother.”
“I can go if you think it necessary,” said Egbert.
“Certainly I think it necessary. Even if there _is_ nothing, we can
have peace of mind. Certainly I think it necessary. I should like
Doctor Wayne to come this evening if possible.”
So Egbert set off on his bicycle through the wind, like a boy sent on
an errand, leaving his father-in-law a pillar of assurance, with
Winifred.
Doctor Wayne came, and looked grave. Yes, the knee was certainly taking
the wrong way. The child might be lame for life.
Up went the fire and fear and anger in every heart. Doctor Wayne came
again the next day for a proper examination. And, yes, the knee had
really taken bad ways. It should be X-rayed. It was very important.
Godfrey Marshall walked up and down the lane with the doctor, beside
the standing motor-car: up and down, up and down in one of those
consultations of which he had had so many in his life.
As a result he came indoors to Winifred.
“Well, Winnie, dear, the best thing to do is to take Joyce up to
London, to a nursing home where she can have proper treatment. Of
course this knee has been allowed to go wrong. And apparently there is
a risk that the child may even lose her leg. What do you think, dear?
You agree to our taking her up to town and putting her under the best
care?”
“Oh, father, you _know_ I would do anything on earth for her.”
“I know you would, Winnie darling. The pity is that there has been this
unfortunate delay already. I can’t think what Doctor Wing was doing.
Apparently the child is in danger of losing her leg. Well then, if you
will have everything ready, we will take her up to town tomorrow. I
will order the large car from Denley’s to be here at ten. Egbert, will
you take a telegram at once to Doctor Jackson? It is a small nursing
home for children and for surgical cases, not far from Baker Street.
I’m sure Joyce will be all right there.”
“Oh, father, can’t I nurse her myself!”
“Well, darling, if she is to have proper treatment, she had best be in
a home. The X-ray treatment, and the electric treatment, and whatever
is necessary.”
“It will cost a great deal—” said Winifred.
“We can’t think of cost, if the child’s leg is in danger—or even her
life. No use speaking of cost,” said the elder man impatiently.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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