Free A Match for Sister Maggy by Betty Neels Page A

He spoke rather testily. ‘Why have you been so long?’
    Maggy went over to the bed and eyed him coldly across it.
    â€˜Because, unlike you, sir, I didn’t ken the way around the house.’
    There was a faint giggle from the bed. ‘You deserved that, Paul.’
    A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. ‘I’m sorry, Sister MacFergus. I had no intention of giving you such a poor welcome to Oudehof. If you would be kind enough to settle my mother in bed, I’ll find Mrs Pratt and tell her to bring up tea.’
    He disappeared, and Maggy lost no time in getting Mevrouw Doelsma comfortable, thinking as she did so that it must be very pleasant to sleep between such fine linen sheets, monogrammed and embroidered; each of the square pillows was embellished with lace, and the counterpane of peach and silver brocade seemed to her eye to be old but still magnificent. Tea came just as she was finished, and, rather to her surprise, the doctor as well. He introduced Mrs Pratt after she had greeted her mistress with every sign of delight, and when she had puffed her good-natured person away, said,
    â€˜Will you pour out, Maggy?’ He pulled up a chair to the small drum table where the tea tray had been set, andwaved her to it. She hesitated. ‘Will ye no’ like to have tea together, sir? I have to unpack.’
    â€˜Certainly you must unpack, but only after we’ve had some tea. Do please pour out.’
    She found herself yielding to his compelling charm, and took her place at the table, pouring tea from a magnificent silver tea-pot into paper-thin china cups. The small meal was a lighthearted affair, and Maggy relaxed despite herself after a few minutes of the doctor’s easy conversation, forgetting to be shy of her rather grand surroundings, so that an hour slipped away before he suggested that she might like to see her room and unpack.
    Mrs Pratt, summoned once more, led her through a door leading from her patient’s room into another similar one, equally beautifully furnished. From here they went into the corridor, where Mrs Pratt opened another door, revealing a luxurious bathroom.
    â€˜This will be for your own use while you are here, Sister, and please ask me or Pratt for anything you may require.’ The housekeeper nodded and smiled, and puffed back into the bedroom; she was a stout little woman, but very light and active on her feet. Expressing the hope that Maggy would be very happy while she was at Oudehof, she went away, leaving her to unpack and put her clothes away in the vast drawers and closets, where they were immediately lost in a luxurious vastness. When Maggy had tidied herself she went back to Mevrouw Doelsma’s room, where the doctor was lounging in a very large chair by the window; he got up and she went in, saying,
    â€˜Ah, Sister, there are one or two things to discuss, are there not?’ There was no trace of the charming friendly man with whom she had had tea; rather he was the bland consultant, giving instructions to his nurse—which, shesupposed, in all fairness, was their correct relationship. They walked over to the window and she listened composedly to his directions. ‘My mother’s own doctor will call tomorrow morning; if he suggests any changes you will of course follow his wishes. Now I expect you wish to get my mother ready for the night—I suggest that she has a really long sleep. Order anything you may require from Mrs Pratt.’ He smiled briefly at her, went over to bed and kissed his mother and wished her goodnight, and left the room.
    Mevrouw Doelsma was tired but happy. Maggy dallied over the preparations for bed and stayed with her while she ate her supper, then, leaving a bedside lamp burning and one or two books within reach, prepared to take the tray downstairs. Her patient, looking extremely comfortable against her pillows, said,
    â€˜Now go down and have dinner, Maggy. I shall be all