About an hour later, Dr Clarkson finally entered the room. The four women got up at his arrival, and Mrs Hughes started explaining:
- Dr Clarkson, thank you so much for coming. It's Mrs Bates, she's been ill since yesterday. She has a high fever, and stomach pains.
- Alright, let's see.
He looked around at the assembly of women, and asked:
- Would you please wait outside while I conduct my examination?
They all started for the door, but Anna grabbed Baxter's hand before she went away, and whispered:
- Please, stay.
Baxter looked at the doctor:
- Is it alright Doctor? Mrs Bates wishes me to stay.
- Fine, nodded Clarkson.
When everyone but Baxter had left, Dr Clarkson conducted a detailed and thorough examination on Anna. She cried in pain when he pressed on her belly, which made him frown in worry. He soon came to his conclusion, but was troubled by his own deduction, since Mrs Bates, as far as he knew, was happily married. He didn't understand how she had come to this situation. He looked up to her and asked:
- Mrs Bates, have you recently… lost a pregnancy?
Anna closed her eyes at his question, and Dr Clarkson saw tears escaping her closed eyelids. Baxter squeezed Anna's hand and urged her:
- Anna you must tell Dr Clarkson… Do you want me to explain?
Her eyes still closed, Anna nodded to Baxter her permission. Anyway, she felt so bad at that moment, she thought she was going to die, so she didn't care about anything anymore.
Baxter turned to Dr Clarkson and started explaining:
- You're right Doctor, Mrs Bates was pregnant. But… the pregnancy was unwanted. You see, about three months ago, Mrs Bates has been assaulted by a man who was visiting here. On the night when the Australian singer performed. So the child was not her husband's. Mrs Bates was very distressed, she didn't want to tell her husband, and she was thinking of taking her own life. I was the only person she had talked to about this, so… I offered her to go see an abortionist. I'm so sorry now, I wish I hadn't… she continued, her voice breaking.
- That's what I was afraid of… sighed the doctor. I wish you hadn't either, he said in a stern voice. I gather this person was not a doctor?
Baxter shook her head.
- So now here we are. Mrs Bates, I'm afraid you're suffering from a serious genital infection. Does anyone know about this? he asked, looking at Baxter again.
- Lady Mary and Mrs Hughes know about the attack, but not about the pregnancy.
- And her husband?
- He doesn't know anything…
- Where is he anyway? Why is he not here today?
- He's in New York with His Lordship…
- Oh, yes of course, answered Dr Clarkson, who remembered now he had heard about Lord Grantham's trip to America. Mrs Bates, he went on, Mrs Hughes and Lady Mary are going to ask me some questions. I have to know what you wish me to say.
- Tell them… I don't care… whispered Anna.
Her self-esteem lay shattered on the floor, so she really didn't mind anymore. After a moment's silence, while the doctor put his tools away in his bag, Anna asked:
- Doctor? Am I going to die?
Dr Clarkson put his bag down, and turned around to face her:
- I don't know Mrs Bates. But I know you did something very dangerous and foolish. This is serious. I'll do my best, but I don't know, really, how this is going to turn out.
As a doctor, he was used to speaking carefully to sick people. He didn't lie in an outright fashion, but he didn't tell Anna that he was indeed very worried for her.
Baxter had fallen on the chair near Anna's bed, and cried quietly, feeling overwhelmed by the huge weight of responsibility on her shoulders. She felt so bad for having dragged her friend on this awful path. Dr Clarkson went to the door and let Mrs Hughes and Lady Mary back in. Mrs Crawley had left, but promised she would come back later to help take care of Anna (her nursing instincts always quickly awakened). The worry was etched on both of their faces when they came to face the doctor. Lady Mary inquired:
- So, Dr Clarkson, is it serious?
- I'm afraid so milady… It seems that Mrs Bates, and I speak now with her permission, had not informed you nor Mrs Hughes of all the consequences of the attack she has been subjected to. She had become pregnant, and out of distress and shame, has turned to a backstreet abortionist…
Both women gasped in horror at his words.
- Oh, no, Anna! breathed Mrs Hughes.
Shock was painted on Lady Mary's face. Not really that Anna had wanted to end this pregnancy, this was something she could understand, but that she had dealt with all this without telling neither her husband, nor Mrs Hughes, nor herself. She looked at Baxter who was crumbled on the chair.
- Baxter! Did you know about this?!
- I did m'lady, she answered in a trembling voice. I'm so sorry… She made me promise not to tell…
- Baxter, you will come to my office later and we will talk about that, said Mrs Hughes looking thoroughly displeased.
- How bad is it, asked Lady Mary to Dr Clarkson, dreading the answer.
- Rather bad I'm afraid. We will see how things go in the next couple of days, but I suggest that you send a telegram to His Lordship and ask that he sends her husband back as soon as possible. It could turn ugly…
- Oh My God, whispered Lady Mary, bringing a hand in front of her mouth.
Tears came to her eyes as she understood that Anna's life was at stake. The prospect of losing her confident and friend was daunting. Mrs Hughes approached Anna's bed and wiped her burning forehead with the wet cloth.
- Anna, my girl… Why for heaven's sake did you not come to me?! We would have found another way…
She felt awfully sad and angry that Anna, whom she had known for almost fifteen years, and whom she practically considered her daughter, had not confided in her about such a matter.
- I'm sorry Mrs Hughes, breathed Anna.
- Anyway, said Dr Clarkson, what is done is done, now Mrs Bates should rest. I will send someone with the medication needed, and I will come check on her twice daily. And I count on you to call me if things should get worse.
As he picked up his bag, he continued:
- There's one more thing: I think it would be right to protect Mrs Bates's privacy. I suggest that, to anyone outside this room, Mrs Bates should officially be suffering from a kidney infection.
Lady Mary held her hand out to the doctor, and answered:
- Yes, you're right Doctor. Thank you so much.
Dr Clarkson took Lady Mary's hand, and pursed his lips in a stiff smile.
- I'm afraid we are losing too many healthy women to these dramatic circumstances. I wish there was another way for them than risking their lives. It's a pity, really… Anyway, I'll be back tonight.
- Thank you doctor, said Mrs Hughes as Dr Clarkson made his exit.
x x x x
New York, Mrs Levinson's residence
Bates was finishing dressing Lord Grantham for the day, when someone knocked on the door. Lord Grantham looked surprised that he should be interrupted while in his dressing-room.
- Yes, come in, he said loudly.
Mr Spivet, Mrs Levinson's butler, entered the room, carrying a tray on which sat an envelope.
- I'm sorry to disturb Your Lordship. A telegram has arrived for you. From England.
- Oh, said Lord Grantham, taking the envelope. Thank you Spivet. You may go.
When the butler had left, Lord Grantham tore the envelope and read the telegram. His face fell as he read, and he looked up to Bates with a frown.
- Bates, I'm afraid this message is for you more than for me. It seems Anna has been taken ill…
Bates's heart skipped a beat when he heard the news.
- What? I'm sorry m'lord, I mean, what does it say exactly?
- "Anna seriously ill – Please send Bates back ASAP"
- Oh my god… Is it all? No other details?
He felt panic invaded him and cursed himself for having left her alone. Could this have anything to do with her strange state in the weeks before his departure? Was she already ill and had not told him?
- I'm afraid not… Look, try and make a phone call to Downton, maybe Carson can tell you more. And I'll find us tickets to Liverpool on the first available ship. Anyway I was thinking of going home in a few days, I've done everything I could here. I'm of no use anymore. I'll be glad to head home too.
- Thank you m'lord.
Two hours later, Bates found Lord Grantham in Mrs Levinson's library.
- I'm sorry m'lord, might I have a word?
Lord Grantham's chest tightened as he saw his valet's utterly distraught face. He knew how much Bates loved his wife, and he couldn't think how badly he would cope if Anna happened to die while he was away. Lord Grantham got up and walked to the hallway to talk to Bates.
- So? Have you managed to telephone Downton?
- Yes m'lord. Mr Carson told me that Anna was seriously ill, a kidney infection he said. It seems Dr Clarkson was very worried when he left this morning.
Tears were shining in his eyes as he was telling his employer the bad news.
- Bates, my dear fellow, said Lord Grantham, putting a sympathetic had on his arm. I'm so sorry. We'll leave tomorrow, Spivet has secured us tickets, it's all settled.
- Thank you so much m'lord. I would never forgive myself if something happened to Anna while I'm away…
- I know. We men are weak when it comes to the women we love, aren't we?
- I'm afraid you are right m'lord. Anyway, I'll start with the packing right away, it'll help to keep my mind off things.
- Go ahead Bates.
x x x x
Downton Abbey
Anna's sudden illness was the main topic of discussion at dinner both upstairs and downstairs. She was liked by virtually everyone at Downton, so the mood was heavy around both tables. Mrs Crawley had talked to Dr Clarkson on her way back and although he had not clearly told her the real reason for her ailment, she had understood. She had come back to the Abbey later in the afternoon, bringing the potions ordered by Dr Clarkson. Although she had understood the truth, she did not challenge Mary when the young Lady said to the whole table that her maid was suffering from a serious kidney infection.
After dinner, Mrs Crawley went to visit Anna. She entered the dimly lit room and found that Baxter was still watching Anna.
- Ms Baxter, said Isobel, I think Mrs Hughes wants you downstairs. I will give Anna her medicine and keep an eye on her until you're back.
- Oh, yes, sure, Ma'am, said Baxter.
As she got out of her friend's room that she had not left since the morning, Baxter wiped some tears off her face. She knew she was bearing a huge responsibility in Anna's fate, and now she feared she was about to get sacked by Mrs Hughes for it. She went downstairs and reluctantly knocked on the door of Mrs Hughes's parlor.
- Come in, said Mrs Hughes.
As she entered, Mr Carson got up and made for the exit.
- I'll leave you to it, he said.
When he had closed the door behind him, Baxter turned to Mrs Hughes and asked:
- Does Mr Carson know?
Mrs Hughes shook her head:
- He only knows the official version. He would not understand.
Then Mrs Hughes shot Ms Baxter a very disapproving look.
- Ms Baxter, I am very disappointed by the role you have played in this unfortunate situation. What were you thinking, taking Anna to an abortionist?! You should have come to me!
Baxter looked down, tears coming to her eyes again.
- I'm so sorry Mrs Hughes, I really am, I would do anything to go back in time and change what I did. But… you should have seen her that day in Ripon! She was about to jump into the river! I swear, she was going to take her own life!
Mrs Hughes gasped at Baxter's confession.
- Oh Lord… she whispered.
- I tried, several times to make her change her mind, to convince her to talk to you or to Mr Bates, but she wouldn't.
- Yes, she can be quite stubborn when it comes to it, stated the Housekeeper.
- She thought she was ruined, I really thought she was going to kill herself, so I figured helping her to end the pregnancy would be a lesser evil. I didn't dare betray her trust and come talk to you when she had made me promise not to… I'm sorry… cried Baxter.
- Well, you are very lucky that Her Ladyship likes you so much and that I can't tell her the real reason for Anna's illness. This is the only thing that saves you from being dismissed right away, Mrs Hughes said sternly.
Baxter wiped her face with her handkerchief and looked up to Mrs Hughes.
- Thank you very much. I will care for Anna in any way I can.
- I'm sure you will. Now go.
At the same time, in the guest room, Mrs Crawley was giving Anna the medication Dr Clarkson had ordered. When Anna had swallowed it all, she fell back on the pillows, exhausted. Mrs Crawley took her hand and gently squeezed it.
- Anna, she said softly. I know what has happened to you.
Anna closed her eyes and turned her head away, as she whispered:
- Then you must think very little of me.
- I don't Anna. I have worked as a nurse for a long time, and I have seen so many women who have done the same thing as you did. I have witnessed enough misery not to judge what a desperate woman will do. Don't worry, I am on your side.
The two women stayed silent, until Lady Mary entered the room. She approached her mother-in-law and put her hand on her arm.
- Thank you for staying Isobel. Maybe you should go rest now. Baxter will be back in a short while.
- I will go in a moment, yes, nodded Mrs Crawley.
- And Anna, continued Lady Mary, bending upon her maid and confident. How are you feeling tonight?
- Much the same m'lady, muttered Anna.
- I wanted you to know that I have sent a telegram to His Lordship and Bates. I just received the answer. They will be boarding a ship tomorrow, and they'll be back in a few days. So now, you focus on getting better for your husband, alright?
- Thank you so much m'lady.
- Now I'll let you rest. I'll see you in the morning.
Lady Mary and Mrs Crawley left the room as Mrs Hughes came into it.
- Thank you my ladies. I will watch Anna for the first part of the night, said the Housekeeper.
Mrs Hughes sat near Anna's bed, and took her hand. A light sob escaped her lips, as she cried:
- Oh my dear girl, how I wish you had talked…
- I'm so sorry Mrs Hughes, please forgive me… mumbled Anna.
Dr Clarkson had prescribed a sedative for the night, and Mrs Hughes watched her as she drifted into an agitated sleep, moaning and calling for her husband at regular intervals.
So there we are, the truth has broken out. Will Anna make it through? Will John be back in time?
(PS: I don't really know if there was such a thing as transatlantic telephone lines in those days, but let's pretend there was.)