The doctor turned to the nurse who had just come into the ward. "I've ruled out internal bleeding here," he dropped his voice, "only haemorrhage of the nasal membranes, which is cl..." he began muttering with a medical parlance, the nurse nodded and jargoned back briefly.
"M'lady, you should find the strength in your back returning in a few weeks of rest, due to the trauma on your iliocastatis thora - a muscle - no walking for a fortnight. Do you think you could feel like eating again? We think it would be best before you're sedated - yes I'm sorry - you really must sleep. You're also extremely dehydrated."
Edith doubted that she would need a drug to doze off, she could hardly stop her hand falling from her bowl of soup, not only because it was so difficult eating with her left hand, but the exhaustion was unimaginable.
When she could hear voices again, all was so heavy and lulling. She opened her eyes, the lighting was dimmer. There was somebody at Edith's side, folded slightly on the edge of the bed, making grieved sounds. "M-mamma? Is that you?" Her throat was dry and the words were slurred almost into inaudibility.
"Oh... my darling girl."
"Cora... Cora she's waking." Lord Grantham's voice was and sombre then hopeful.
Her mother's eyes were glassy as she sat up eagerly, arms shaking. "Oh, my dear... oh my dear, whatever happened?" She swallowed a sob. "How are you feeling?"
"Dreadful... I'm, I'm so sorry."
"Whatever were you thinking?" Her mother hissed concernedly.
"I... I could never explain. Oh Mamma...!"
There was speechless conversation for what felt like the entire evening, but only couldn't be, for the police were supposedly arriving at four o'clock. Everyone wanted to ask so much, and asked more, at the same time all desiring nothing more than a weekend in a dimly lit room for the smallest chance to vaguely assimilate to late happenings. After the concern, and the shock, there was shaking disturbance and discompose.
"Anthony is relaxing charges of course... this is the most ridiculousness I have ever had to absorb... God knows I will be speaking with the entire damned Office of Police when they arrive about the accident now. I just cannot believe that you would go gallivanting down to Loxley, and at such a time, with an AGREEABLE chauffeur - and Anthony who I had in mind as a gentleman - could involve the police, and that those very officers who were incompetent enough to let you escape, arrested you in the first place. What possessed an escape! We are very lucky all there was was a fine to pay. Arrested! Edith I cannot believe-"
"Robert please. Our daughter is probably quite aware-"
"Aware! She bally well sounded aware of the fact that she is a Lady of class when she -"
"Robert! Would you look at your daughter... look at the state of her... of everything." Everything about Cora's body and low intonations, was grave, as she shook her head and closed her eyes. "I think that may be enough cause for remorse. So would you please, stop... and there are other things," an uncharacteristic sob escaped her (Edith winced), "there is even more to focus on."
"...Mamma..."
Cora's eyes were still closed as she shook.
"Mamma? What have they said about Matthew?"
Lady Grantham's chin trembled. "Mary is with him." She said, without Edith seeing her face. Because with those watery words, her mother got up to leave the room. Lord Grantham then resumed muted grieving. Head in hands at grave recollection, the world had suddenly become so heavy.
