Page 38 of The Irish Gypsy
"Good God, man, I haven't always been asociety doctor. I started out in the slums. Her color gives heraway, like a prison pallor."
"What's the extent of her injuries?" he askedapprehensively.
"Well, she's in shock. She has a concussion,a dislocated shoulder, a large gash on her leg that I've juststitched, and multiple bruises, cuts and abrasions. Apart from allthis, she is in a weakened, run-down condition and her blood isvery low. She's seen more dinnertimes than dinners, and the workshe's been doing has been far too heavy for her. It sounds grave,but all she really needs is food and rest. I think the concussionwill go away on its own if she's left quiet, but I'd like you tocome and hold her while I try to put her shoulder back into itssocket. Would you ladies step outside now for a few minutes?" thedoctor asked.
Patrick lifted Kitty gently and put his armsabout her firmly. The doctor took hold of Kitty's arm. "This willhurt her a great deal." He gave her arm a terrific wrench, and hereyes flew open and she screamed. "Patrick," she said weakly, "wheream I?"
"You had an accident at the mill, love, butthe doctor says you'll be all right. Try to sleep now. We'll lookafter you."
"I'll ease the shoulder with a sling and beback to check her again tomorrow."
The doctor hadn't been gone ten minutes, whenTerrance appeared and demanded to see his sister.
"The doctor tells me she is going to be allright, Terry, but she needs nursing and decent food, and I intendto see that she gets it. Where have you been living? Why on earthwas she working in the mill?"
"Haven't you seen the bloody signs posted,'No Irish or Dogs allowed'?" he asked bitterly.
"Go home and get your things together. I knowKitty wouldn't have a minute's peace of mind if you were still atthe mill after this accident."
With the good food and bed rest she received,Kitty's condition improved rapidly. Barbara was delighted becauseshe had few friends her own age; she insisted upon doing everythingfor Kitty. A great relief filled Patrick as he watched Kittyblossom under their ministrations, and his guilt fell away. He wasdetermined that this time he would not make such a mess of things.He would go about his wooing slowly and patiently. He forcedhimself to attend to business each day and only allowed himselfhalf an hour each evening with Kitty.
It was beginning to work. Already she lookedforward eagerly to his arrival, and he took much pleasure watchingher face light up at the sight of him. He kept a great deal ofdistance between them, at least half the room, and let his eyesconvey his tender feelings toward her. He sent her flowers everyother day and set about the courtship with a master plan, payingattention to the minutest details, and slowly but surely Kittybegan to respond. Never once did the idea of marrying her enter hishead.
One day he took Terry into the library."Would you like to become a mill foreman, Terry?" he askedtentatively.
"I hated every minute I had to spend in thatplace. Besides, nobody is going to take orders from someone whohasn't turned sixteen yet."
"You need more education, you know. How wouldyou like to go to school?"
"School? Me? Don't be daft! That's out forcertain sure."
"Talk about gratitude and biting the handthat feeds you! Stubborn bloody Irish! I knew a lad who came herefrom Ireland and joined the British army just so he could become adeserter!" Patrick shouted.
They both burst out laughing, and Patrickshook his head in resignation.
"I fancy horses," Terry stated withouthesitation.
Patrick leaned back in his chair and thoughtfor a few minutes. "I'm going to give it out that you and Kitty aredistant cousins of ours from Ireland, so I can't have you workingas a stable boy. I'll tell you what: I have a friend with a largeracing stable over at Doncaster in Yorkshire. Would you like tolearn to be a trainer? I have more than a passing interest inhorses myself. Learn everything you can. When you return we'll seewhat we can do about acquiring some decent horseflesh and enter afew races ourselves."
Terry's face lit up brilliantly.
"Your smile is exactly like your sister'swhen she's getting all her own way," he said and laughed.
Patrick came home one day to find that Kittyhad been downstairs for the first time. Her figure was rounding outagain and her hair was a mass of shiny curls, prettier than it hadever been because of her improved diet. "You're looking very well,but you still tire easily, don't you?"
"A little," she admitted shyly.
"I think you should be carried up to bed,don't you?" he asked softly.
She hesitated a moment, blushed prettily andnodded her agreement.
"Terry, come carry your sister up to bed. Ithink she's done enough for today." Patrick hid a smile as a lookof disappointment came into her face.
Soon the girls were riding every day and thelarge house was filled with their happy laughter and madcap antics.One afternoon he returned early from business and discovered bothgirls filthy, wet, their dresses torn, their shoes and stockingsforgotten on the riverbank where they'd been wading. "You've beenrunning around like two Gypsy girls all summer. Not that itprobably hasn't done you a world of good, but I really think schoolis in order."
"Oh Patrick, no, I hate lessons!" protestedBarbara.
"What you need are different kinds oflessons, like dancing and singing and all those femaleaccomplishments that turn hoydens into civilized young ladies. Sixmonths is all I'm asking--I won't separate you, you can betogether."
