Read Online Rebel Sisters by Marita Conlon-Mckenna - Free Book Online Page B

suddenly her own name was called.
    Miss Haughton sat upright at a big mahogany desk in front of a bookcase lined with an array of medical texts. She was smaller than Muriel had expected. On the far wall was a plaque from Guy’s Hospital in London where she had trained.
    â€˜So you want to be a nurse?’ she began, her bright eyes inquisitive.
    â€˜Yes,’ stammered Muriel. ‘I’ve wanted to train as a nurse for years. I—’
    â€˜Do tell me why,’ said the other woman firmly. ‘It is the obvious question, given the long hours and punishing work most of my nurses must learn to accept.’
    Muriel had planned to say that she would find nursing patients both interesting and rewarding, but instead, strangely, she found herself talking about Gerald.
    â€˜My brother died when I was only sixteen,’ she said slowly, trying to keep her voice steady. ‘The doctor told us that he had a brain infection. It was hopeless, although everyone did everything they could to try to save him. Nothing could be done. He was well one day and dying a day later … how could that be?’
    The other woman leaned forward slightly in her chair, listening.
    â€˜I sat with him, cared for him and helped my mother to nurse him, and even right up to the end I talked to him all the time, for I knew he would be scared.’
    â€˜Could he hear you?’ Miss Haughton asked gently.
    â€˜I’m not sure. They said he was unconscious near the end, but I kept talking as I didn’t want Gerald to be afraid. He died at home.’
    â€˜So, you have seen death.’
    â€˜Yes,’ she whispered, looking down at the floor, trying to control her voice and emotions.
    â€˜No easy thing, no matter how often we see it.’
    Nodding in agreement, Muriel took a sharp breath.
    â€˜Now, Miss Gifford, please tell me about your schooling and exam results.’
    Muriel found herself wishing she had applied herself better during her time at Alexandra College, but the other woman seemed satisfied with her answers.
    â€˜I see you have provided references of your character and also the necessary medical and dental certificates fully signed by your own physician and dentist. We must ensure our probationers are healthy enough to work on the wards looking after sick patients, which is demanding to say the least. You haven’t had any back problems, have you?’
    â€˜No,’ she replied, looking Miss Haughton straight in the eye.
    â€˜Also, our probationers must pass an English exam, which we will arrange for you to take at the Technical School for Nurses within the next two weeks. Have you any questions, Miss Gifford?’
    â€˜I just wondered how soon I would be working on the wards.’ Muriel stopped suddenly, realizing that she sounded presumptuous. ‘What I mean is, if I am considered at all suitable …’
    She saw Miss Haughton stiffen.
    â€˜All our probationers are on a three-month trial and must attend the hospital’s preliminary training school for six weeks’ instruction before they are admitted to the wards. Our probationers also attend lectures at the Dublin Metropolitan Technical School for Nurses. Have you any more questions?’
    â€˜No, thank you, Miss Haughton.’ Muriel’s mouth felt horribly dry.
    Suddenly the older woman closed the paper folder in front of her. The interview was at an end.
    â€˜Miss Gifford, once we know the results of your English exam you will receive a letter confirming whether or not you have been accepted as a probationer here at Sir Patrick Dun’s. All decisions are final. There is no appeal process.’
    â€˜I understand,’ Muriel said, pushing back her chair and standing up. ‘Thank you, Miss Haughton.’
    Walking along Grand Canal Street she felt almost dizzy with relief that the ordeal was over and hoped fervently that she had met Miss Haughton’s stringent criteria.
    Muriel was overjoyed