Chapter 29
It was the second week of November when the fever blew in with the cold winter winds. First down was Jane. She had complained of a headache for a day and finally came to Mrs Hughes who took in her pale face and sweat on her brow and quickly felt her forehead. It was burning against the cold hand of the Housekeeper and she was quickly sent to bed and the doctor was called. Even before the doctor had arrived Margaret, a kitchen maid, was brought in by Mrs Patmore to Mrs Hughes. The girl, much younger than Jane, was even weaker and was barely up on her feet. Followed by two other kitchen maids and one hall boy.
In the attics, in the bedroom that Anna and Jane shared, Mrs Hughes stood a few steps behind the doctor as he examined the sick girl. Finally Doctor Clarkson turned towards Mrs Hughes who awaited any instructions.
"Fever. It's spreading with the cold. Give her the medicine exactly on time. And keep her temperature down. It'll be much serious if it goes high, could even turn to pneumonia," Doctor Clarkson instructed Mrs Hughes as he took his bag from the small table by Jane's bed. Mrs Hughes held the door open as the Doctor turned to leave.
They had only taken a few steps down on the staircase when Anna came hurrying. Her face red and out of breath, and forced herself to stop in front of the Doctor and the Housekeeper. Her initial speed unsteadying her for a moment in her attempt to stop without slowing down.
"Anna?" Mrs Hughes asked, worried, as the young girl tried hard to catch her breath.
"It's His Lordship," Anna burst out in between deep breaths.
Mrs Hughes quickly gestured the way to the Doctor and Doctor Clarkson hurried in that direction, in the practised and efficient gait of a medical practitioner.
"And Anna inform Mr Carson," Mrs Hughes instructed Anna, turning her head as she walked away with the Doctor, Anna nodded and hurried downstairs.
Mrs Hughes waited patiently outside the closed door of His Lordship's dressing room. Her Ladyship was inside with the Doctor. With no one around on the corridor, Mrs Hughes' gaze was fixed far away and she was fiddling with her hands. Signs of impatience getting the better of her usually composed self. She understood from Doctor Clarkson's words that this fever spreads fast and she wondered where they would all stand by the end of the week and it was only just Tuesday, the week had only begun.
The click of the door knob brought Mrs Hughes back to attention and her hands neatly by her sides. Doctor Clarkson walked out with his usual serious demeanour and Mrs Hughes looked at him questioningly. Doctor Clarkson nodded understanding the question posed to him without words.
"But a bit on the serious side," he added, "let me know as soon as possible if there is any change."
"Yes Doctor," Mrs Hughes replied and started to lead the way. But Doctor Clarkson interrupted.
"I can see myself out Mrs Hughes. I'm sure you have a lot to do right now," he said politely and Mrs Hughes smiled at the Doctor's understanding words. She indeed had a lot to do. With the possibility of maids falling ill in the coming days probably like apples falling from trees, she'll certainly have a lot of weight to pull. And the possibility that the sickness was spreading upstairs among the Family meant the days ahead would be very long and trying ones.
Mrs Hughes came downstairs having spoken to Her Ladyship. Lady Grantham rarely gave any specific instructions to the Housekeeper in instances such as this for she knew that the efficient Housekeeper had a clear grasp of what needed to be done.
The jingle of the keys of her chatelaine followed by her steady and strong footsteps on the stone floor echoed across the silent corridor. Hearing the Housekeeper, Mrs Patmore wiped her hands on a piece of cloth and stepped out of the kitchen.
"Mrs Hughes," the Cook called out to the Housekeeper who was about to open the door of her sitting room. Mrs Hughes' mind which was well occupied with several matters descended back down to earth as she heard the Cook calling for her. She dropped her hand from the door knob and stepped in front of the Cook.
"How are they?" Mrs Patmore asked, her voice calm. Something rarely to be expected from the loud cook but three kitchen maids falling ill on one day could have been the cause behind it.
"It's a fever, the Doctor says so. Their temperature have to be kept as low as possible. Or else there is a fair risk of pneumonia. His Lordship has taken ill too," Mrs Hughes replied. They maybe rivals over some aspects of their authority but when it came to their charges they were soft hearted women. Mrs Patmore more like the loving but loud aunt with a dry sense of humour. Mrs Hughes more like the strict yet kind and loving mother with wise words and careful precautions.
"My my," Mrs Patmore sighed, "I wonder whether we'll be standing by the end of the week." Mrs Hughes smiled at the Cook's expression and walked back to her sitting room.
"The moon is smilin' at ye Becky. A bonnie wee smile," young Elsie whispered to her sister who was cuddling by her side. The younger girl's forehead was burning and a sheen of sweat covered it glistening in the pale moonlight that crept in through the small window and she was restlessly tossing and turning.
Elsie smoothed her hand upon Becky's hair, holding her close. The feverish warmth of the younger girl seeping through Elsie's side. An occasional whimper from the sick girl.
"D'ye ken why the moon's smilin'?" she asked in a whisper, only half expecting an answer which came in the form of a whimper and a squeezing of her hand by Becky.
"It's sayin' ye'll be fit as fiddle come mornin'. That's why it's smilin'. Ye gonnae get better Becky. Soon. So don't ye think o' givin' up lass," she stroked her fingers upon Becky's forehead wiping the sweat off her brow.
"Elsie," a weak whisper came from Becky followed by a whimper.
"I'm here Becky. By yer side lass. Always by yer side."
"Mrs Hughes! Mrs Hughes!" a series of sharp knocks on her bedroom door and Anna's desperate voice woke Mrs Hughes from her dream. For a moment she couldn't realise where she was. The moonlight lit up her small bedroom in a dim white light and Mrs Hughes found her bearings. She got out of bed as fast as she could. Wearing her housecoat she opened the door, one of her hands still going through the sleeve almost stuck in the middle. The fear in Anna's voice made her not want to lose a second more.
"We have to call the doctor. It's Nanny and the young ladies. The fever," Anna blurted out. She saw the lines of worry return to the Housekeeper's face.
"I'll wake Mr Carson. We have to get the chauffeur to bring the Doctor over," Mrs Hughes replied trying not to sound frantic.
She had to stay calm, as always, for everyone's sake.
To be continued…
Thank you so much for all your kind reviews. A big thank you to all the guest reviewers whom I cannot thank personally. This update took a bit long and I'm sorry. A few things in real life caught up plus I rewrote this chapter twice. Anyway, thank you for your patience. Hope you like this chapter. See you soon with the next one! (And I will definitely try to update as soon as possible.)