Thanks reviewers!—Looks Far Woman, BrittanyPmouse, fillesauvage, lovingwtw, Gina C M, Information hen, annaPanag, copecetic bees knees, Chris OHB, CelloMagnifique300, guest, iris fibonacci, A girl named sue, Dixie Cross, Helen SES
Am uploading this on Sunday instead of my usual Monday because I'm going on vaction to the mountains…woot!
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Dr. Meade wasted no time on greetings or preliminaries. He examined Scarlett quickly while Pork and Wade waited decently on the other side of the door.
"Prissy, where's Captain Butler?"
"He gone."
"Gone where?"
But Prissy could only shrug helplessly.
"Well, I would prefer Mammy-she's an excellent nurse-but with her at Tara, I suppose you'll have to do. But we need to notify somebody in her family." He furrowed his brow, snapped his fingers.
Dr. Meade opened the door a crack. "Pork, run and fetch Henry Hamilton." Then he slammed the door and turned to Prissy. "What we need to do will be neither comfortable for Scarlett, nor pleasant for you to watch. You must follow my instructions exactly. Do you understand?"
"Yassuh."
He rolled up his sleeves. "Bring me my medical bag."
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Wade was gone when Pork came back with Uncle Henry in tow. Dr. Meade came to the door, slipped out into the hallway and shut the door behind him, leaving Prissy in attendance.
"It would appear that Scarlett drank a vast quantity of whiskey at one time. It acted like a poison and nearly killed her," he explained to both of them. Although his words were directed at Uncle Henry, he saw no reason to hide this information from Pork. After all, he was a trusted family retainer for many years, and had taken care of Scarlett's father. He was more than a family retainer. He was family.
"I used to rely on Melanie for help whenever Scarlett was sick in the past, but now she's gone. The point is, Scarlett will need care and attention for the next several days, definitely through Christmas. I thought to send the children to Tara, but Pork here informs me the Benteens have taken the diphtheria."
"She can't go home to Tara?" Uncle Henry asked Pork, who shook his head slowly.
"...and, I am reluctant to send them to the Wilkes' because Dilcey already has her hands full with Ashley and Beau..."
Uncle Henry sighed and pulled his beard. "I can't take care of them at my hotel...wait. Why not send them to Pittypat and India? Wade is set to inherit half that house, anyway."
There was a hint of sarcasm in his voice that made Dr. Meade raise an eyebrow. "Then do it. I must go back to Scarlett.
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Uncle Henry searched the house and grounds for a full half hour before he found the children huddled together behind the stable. Wade was decently attired in coat, hat, and mittens, but Ella was wrapped in a stained, smelly horse blanket. When she stood up, he saw to his horror she was still wearing her nightdress-with bare feet, besides.
"Young lady, are you trying to catch your death of pneumonia?"
Her lip quivered and she started to sob. "I don't want to die!-did Mother die? I don't want to disappear and die like they did in the song."
"What in Tarnation...?"
"Please, Uncle Henry. She's been acting like this all day. She won't be consoled."
"Your mother isn't dead. But she is sick, and you can't stay here because you'll only get underfoot. I'm taking you both to Aunt Pittypat's for a few days." He sighed. "I was hoping not to take you back into the house. I wanted to bundle you two into the carriage and take you directly to Pittypat's. Then Prissy could bring your clothes tonight,". He was thinking out loud now. "But there's no way I can drop you on the doorstep looking like that." And in spite of himself, his lips twitched at the thought of India Wilkes' reaction if he did deposit this uncombed, half-naked little savage at her door.
Hastily wiping his grin away, he turned to Wade. "I'm depending on you, son. We will go back to the house, and Ella and I will wait downstairs in the library. I need you to pack two bags, one with your duds, one with hers. And bring her something to wear during the buggy ride, besides."
Wade was beside himself with joy at being able to be useful. "Yes, sir."