Chapter 5: In Sickness and Health
A few days later, Elizabeth was at the schoolhouse about to start her morning lessons with her students when Jack burst through the door. Elizabeth looked up, startled. Jack said, "Elizabeth, I need to talk to you right now." Jack motioned to Elizabeth to come with him outside. Elizabeth told the students, "Please continue with your readings," and quickly followed Jack outside, along with Julie, who was at the schoolhouse helping Elizabeth.
"Elizabeth, we have an emergency situation and I need your help," Jack said urgently. Jack continued, "I just received a telegram from the doctor in Buckstown. A fever has been spreading among the children there – he thinks it's scarlet fever. Two children have already died. The doctor is contacting all the Mounties in the area to warn us about the epidemic, and to bring him more medical supplies. I'm going to ride over there today with supplies. Elizabeth, I'm declaring a quarantine here in Hope Valley. I need you to send all the children home right now and tell them to stay inside and not to go out. You need to go door to door and explain to the parents what's going on. Try not to get anyone panicked, but this is serious. Can you help me?"
Elizabeth eyes went wide. "Of course I'll do that. But Jack, Emily and her family visited Buckstown over the weekend. When her brother, Miles, came to school today, he told me Emily was sick and was staying home. Do you think little Emily has the fever?" Jack replied, "I don't know, but I'll try to get the doctor to come back with me to see her. In the meanwhile, keep Miles away from both Emily and any other children." Elizabeth nodded and said, "He can stay with me and Abigail until this blows over."
Julie asked, "Why was Emily's family in Buckstown?" Elizabeth explained, "Emily's father died in the coal mining disaster last year, and his brother has a homestead near Buckstown. Emily's mother, Kat Montgomery, and Emily's older brother, Gabe, have been helping out there."
Julie turned to Jack and declared, "Jack, I want to go with you to Buckstown to help." Before Jack could reply, Elizabeth grabbed Julie's arm and exclaimed, "Julie, no. You can't . . . " Elizabeth stopped herself, knowing it wasn't right for her to try to protect Julie when so many others were putting themselves into danger. Elizabeth, resigned, said anxiously, "Okay, but please be careful." Jack put his hand on Elizabeth's arm and assured her, "I'll take care of her, don't worry." Elizabeth, blinking back tears, hugged Julie tightly.
As Julie ran back into the schoolhouse to gather her things, Elizabeth turned to Jack. The couple looked at each other intently, then hugged. Elizabeth whispered into Jack's ear, "Please come back soon." Jack nodded and assured her, "I will." Julie came back out and she and Jack quickly took off.
Elizabeth strode towards the front of the schoolhouse and turned to face the children. "Children, please close your books and gather up all your things. I am dismissing school early today. Constable Thornton has declared a quarantine in Hope Valley. That means all you children have to stay inside so we don't spread germs to each other. After a few days, hopefully everything will go back to normal and you can return to school. We'll let you know when. I'll explain it all to your parents. But for now, quickly, let's go. I'll walk with you back to town."
As the children started gathering their things, Miles came over to Elizabeth and whispered, "Is it because my sister is sick?" Elizabeth leaned down and rubbed Miles' arm. "Not just your sister, other children are sick in other towns. So we're trying to prevent the sickness from spreading. You can stay with me and Miss Abigail until your sister gets better, okay?" Miles nodded, but looked afraid. Elizabeth hugged Miles and said, "Don't worry, Constable Thornton is going to Buckstown to get the doctor to come check on Emily. It'll be okay. Now quickly get your things together."
Rosalie went up to Elizabeth and touched her arm. "Miss Thatcher, do you think maybe we should pray?" Elizabeth nodded and replied, "That is a wonderful idea, Rosalie." Elizabeth called out to the children, "Everyone, Rosalie has made the excellent suggestion that we say a quick prayer before we leave. Let's all join hands and form a circle."
Elizabeth and the children bowed their heads. "Bless us, oh Lord, and restore us to health. Stay by our side and comfort us through this trying time. Thank You for hearing our prayer." Elizabeth raised her head and gazed at her students. "Children, have faith – our community has been tried before, and we will get through this as well." The children murmured, "Amen."
Elizabeth and the children stood silently for a few moments. Then Albert raised his hand and asked, "Does this mean we're allowed to say Constable Thornton's name in the schoolhouse now?" Elizabeth grinned and answered, "Well, at least for today, there's an exception to that rule." The children laughed and everyone sighed in relief. Elizabeth patted Albert's head, appreciating his injection of levity into their meditations.
Elizabeth grabbed her belongings and called out, "Come on now, let's get going. We can continue praying once we're home." Elizabeth led the children out of the schoolhouse and on the path back to town.
Elizabeth spent the rest of the day visiting all the households in Hope Valley explaining about the quarantine. When Elizabeth arrived at Emily's home, Kat answered the door, her face weighed down with worry. Elizabeth hugged Kat tightly, well aware of Kat's next words. Kat cried out, "Emily is terribly sick. I don't know what to do. I keep bathing her down, but her fever isn't breaking." Elizabeth tried to calm Kat down. "Jack said he would try to bring the doctor back as soon as he could. And Miles is staying with me and Abigail, don't worry." Kat started weeping. "But Gabe is still in Buckstown on his uncle's homestead." Elizabeth put her arm around Kat and replied, "I'm sure Gabe will be fine. He's a strong young man now."
Elizabeth asked, "Do you want me to come in and stay with you? I'm happy to do that." Kat replied gratefully, "Could you? That would help a lot." Elizabeth answered, "Of course. If you want, I can make dinner." Kat hesitated and said, "How about if I make dinner - I know what Emily likes to eat." Elizabeth grinned and admitted, "Yes, it's usually better when someone else does the cooking. I'll go sit with Emily." Kat smiled at Elizabeth sadly.
Elizabeth entered Kat's house, hoping her presence might help, but knowing that the situation was grim. Elizabeth climbed the stairs to the top floor, where Emily was lying in bed, bathed in sweat. Elizabeth took one look at Emily and said two quick prayers under her breath: one to God, asking for his blessing of healing for this child; and the other to Jack, wishing fervently for him to return with the doctor as soon as possible.
Elizabeth took a deep breath, pulled the wet cloth from the bowl on the nightstand, and started wiping Emily's hot forehead. "Emily, dear, it's Miss Thatcher. I'm here now, dear. I've come to help your mom." Emily stirred in her sleep but didn't respond. Elizabeth kept praying and wiping Emily's forehead, anticipating a long night ahead.