Courts and courtiers -- Fiction; German fiction -- Translations into English; Germany -- Fiction
The ten-thousand marks donation for the Dorothea Hospital had naturally
made an excellent impression. His friend Sammet had told him (Ueberbein)
that with the help of this donation far-reaching improvements had been
undertaken in the Hospital. And for the rest, it had just occurred to
him! Little Imma was going to inspect the improvements to-morrow
morning, Sammet had told him. She had sent one of her swan's-down
flunkeys and asked whether she would be welcome to-morrow. She and sick
children were a devilish funny mixture, opined Ueberbein, but perhaps
she might learn something. To-morrow morning at eleven, if his memory
did not mislead him.
Then he talked about other things. On leaving he added: "The Grand Duke
ought to take some interest in the Dorothea Hospital, Klaus Heinrich,
it's expected of him. It's a blessed institution. In short, somebody
ought to show the way, give signs of an interest in high quarters. No
wish to intrude.... And so good-bye."
But he came back once more, and in his green face a flush had appeared
under the eyes which looked entirely out of place there. "If," he said
deliberately, "I ever caught you again with a soup tureen on your head,
Klaus Heinrich, I should leave it there." Then he pressed his lips
together and went out.
Next morning shortly before eleven Klaus Heinrich walked with Herr von
Braunbart-Schellendorf, his aide-de-camp, from Schloss "Hermitage"
through the snow-covered birch avenue over rough suburban streets
between humble cottages, and stopped before the neat white house over
whose entrance "Dorothea Children's Hospital" was painted in broad black
letters. His visit had been announced. The senior surgeon of the
institution, in a frock-coat with the Albrechts Cross of the Third
Class, was awaiting him with two younger surgeons and the nursing staff
in the hall. The Prince and his companion were wearing helmets and fur
coats. Klaus Heinrich said: "This is the renewal of an old acquaintance,
my dear doctor. You were present when I came into the world. You are
also a friend of my tutor Ueberbein's. I am delighted to meet you."
Doctor Sammet, who had grown grey in his life of active philanthropy,
bowed to one side, with one hand on his watch-chain and his elbows close
to his ribs. He presented the two junior surgeons and the sister to the
Prince, and then said: "I must explain to your Royal Highness that your
Royal Highness's gracious visit coincides with another visit. Yes. We
are expecting Miss Spoelmann. Her father has done such a lot for our
institution.... We could not very well upset the arrangements. The
sister will take Miss Spoelmann round."
Klaus Heinrich received the news of this rencontre without displeasure.
He first expressed his opinion of the nurses' uniform, which he called
becoming, and then his curiosity to inspect the philanthropic
institution. The tour began. The sister and three nurses waited behind
in the hall.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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