Light footsteps echoed through the lively dormitory as the girls descended the stairs, meeting Elise and Lucie on the second floor before heading to the dining hall.
"We have eggs today?" Joan asked in surprise. Eggs were usually served only twice a week, and today wasn't one of those days.
"Yes, we do." At that, the girls seemed noticeably more energetic,
Small comforts carried far more value in these times. A warm breakfast, a fresh loaf of bread, or an unexpected egg could brighten an otherwise exhausting day. Luxuries belonged to the wealthy; ordinary people learned to appreciate whatever little they had.
The moment Joan stepped into the general ward, her eyes instinctively drifted toward Laura's bed، only to find it empty.
Seeing where Joan was looking, Agnes answered the unspoken question.
"She passed away at three this morning." Agnes paused before continuing "She held on long enough for her family to arrive."
"Has Edith gone to rest?" Joan asked knowingly, with Laura's declining condition, her death record was to be written any time now, so Edith, Agnes and the rest were asked to keep an eye on her during their night shifts.
As fate would have it, Laura held on until Edith's night shift began.
"No, she said she will finish the paperwork first before returning to the nurses' residence " Agnes finished the bed just as she answered.
With no time to dwell on the dead, Joan turned her attention back to the living.
But before that, Joan went to the bedside table and took the vessel with the withered yellow flowers back to the utility room, so a space could be made for the new patient.
The hospital didn't bother to pause for even a second, for countless people, it's either the right destination or just another stop on the road to death.
After a few hours.
After a casual lunch conversation about Lily's upcoming engagement party…Joan returned to the ward to find Laura's lone companion, her bed, being taken to become another patient's.
"Go find Mrs feather a hospital gown "
Edith, who just returned to her shift, instructed Joan as soon as she entered the ward.
"Right away" Joan replied as she headed to the utility room.
"Hey, Elise. Will I see you in an hour?" Joan asked Elise now, even though they met at lunch because she doesn't know if she still has enough time or energy. The maternity ward was busy these days, even though most people still preferred to give birth at home.
"Sure, Lucie will Join us" Elise answered with her energetic voice as always.
After filling their cups with hot water, they returned to their rooms .
Soaking a few tea petals, Joan put the plate of a slice of sponge cake on her bed so she can eat in comfort. It's a bad habit she started since moving to the dormitory, as she doesn't have a comfortable couch. Anyway, it's not a big deal, at least it's better than her college dormitory. Here, she got lucky she didn't have to share a room with anyone.
After taking another sip of her tea, Joan opened the Journal of Practical Medicine, and began to read the article again, after already reading it yesterday.She wasn't reading it out of sentimentality.She was looking for better wording, stronger arguments, or gaps she could help fill..
The Journal of Practical Medicine
16 February 1914 Issue
Observations on the Therapeutic Limits of Bloodletting in Prolonged Febrile Illness
Charles Bennett, M.D.
Joan skimmed through the opening paragraphs. Although Dr. Bennett had expanded the discussion with his own observations and references, she immediately recognized the core argument. All she could do now is to continue to subtly guide people to a new direction. It may not be able to create big waves, but it's more than enough to steer the ship in the right direction.
Seeing there is still some time before her day with Elise, Joan began drafting the article, as she didn't know if she would have enough energy when she came back.