One

FRONTISPIECE

In the hall of the Tigris Palace Hotel in Baghdad a hospital nurse was finishing a letter. Herfountain pen drove briskly over the paper.

.?.?. Well, dear, I think that’s really all my news. I must say it’s been nice to see abit of the world—though England for me every time, thank you. The dirt and themess in Baghdad you wouldn’t believe—and not romantic at all like you’d thinkfrom the Arabian Nights! Of course, it’s pretty just on the river, but the town itselfis just awful—and no proper shops at all. Major Kelsey took me through thebazaars, and of course there’s no denying they’re quaint¹ — but just a lot ofrubbish and hammering away at copper² pans till they make your headache—andnot what I’d like to use myself unless I was sure about the cleaning. You’ve got tobe so careful of verdigris³ with copper pans.

I’ll write and let you know if anything comes of the job that Dr.?Reilly spokeabout. He said this American gentleman was in Baghdad now and might comeand see me this afternoon. It’s for his wife—she has “fancies,” so Dr.?Reilly said.

He didn’t say any more than that, and of course, dear, one knows what thatusually means (but I hope not actually D.T.s!). Of course, Dr.?Reilly didn’t sayanything—but he had a look—if you know what I mean. This Dr.?Leidner is anarchaeologist and is digging up a mound⁴ out in the desert somewhere for someAmerican museum.

Well, dear, I will close now. I thought what you told me about little Stubbinswas simply killing⁵! Whatever did Matron say?

No more now.

Yours ever,

Amy Leatheran

Enclosing the letter in an envelope, she addressed it to Sister Curshaw, St. Christopher’sHospital, London.

As she put the cap on her fountain pen, one of the native boys approached her.

“A gentleman come to see you. Dr.?Leidner.”

Nurse Leatheran turned. She saw a man of middle height with slightly stooping shoulders, abrown beard and gentle, tired eyes.

Dr.?Leidner saw a woman of thirty-five, of erect⁶, confident bearing. He saw a good-humouredface with slightly prominent blue eyes and glossy⁷ brown hair. She looked, he thought, just what ahospital nurse for a nervous case ought to look. Cheerful, robust⁸, shrewd and matter-of-fact.

Nurse Leatheran, he thought, would do.

 

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