Quickly and noiselessly she put
them in place. Then she tried to take off the collar, but the snaps
held. She tugged and pressed, but with no result. She was afraid to
pull too hard lest she break the snaps.
At last she was forced to button the collar of her linen gown above it.
She smoothed her hair and put on her cap. The room as she surveyed it
showed no sign of her occupation. She put out the light and returned
to her patient.
She was at the front door to let the Doctor in when he arrived.
"The General is awake, and wants to see you. I'll come down when you
go, and we can talk."
As they entered the shadowed room together, the old man opened his
eyes. "Hello, McKenzie. Nurse, what made you put on your cap? I
don't like it."
"I shouldn't dare leave it off when the Doctor's here."
"Does she have to take your orders or mine, McKenzie?"
"Mine," smiling; "that's one of the perquisites of my profession, to
have all the nurses under my thumb."
"Don't you try to please your patients?"
"Yes."
"Then tell her to leave off her cap."
He began to cough. The Doctor bent over him.
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