Part 19 (2/2)
She tossed the book across the room, expecting that her friend would catch it. Nancy was glancing in another direction and did not see the object flying toward her. In seconds the heavy volume had struck her injured hand.
”Oh!” she exclaimed, trying to smother a cry of pain.
Bess leaped from bed and ran to Nancy's side.
”Oh, your poor hand! I thought you were watching when I tossed the book. I'll never forgive myself.”
”The hand feels better already,” Nancy a.s.sured her friend. ”Please don't worry.”
”But your match tomorrow-”
”The pain will go away before then, I'm sure.”
Somewhat rea.s.sured, Bess returned to bed. She had no idea that Nancy actually was suffering intense pain.
As Nancy prepared for bed, she prayed for a night of restful sleep before the eventful day to come. But the ache in her hand grew steadily worse. She nervously paced the floor.
Finally she dialed Dr. Aikerman's room and told him what had happened.
”Come to my office in ten minutes,” the physician replied.
Nancy dressed and went there. Dr. Aikerman was waiting for her.
”What have you been doing to this hand?” he asked sternly. ”I hope you're not planning to play in the golf tournament tomorrow.”
”Oh, doctor! Please don't say I shouldn't.”
”That is a matter for you to decide, young lady. Your injury will not prove permanent, but I can see that you must be in excruciating pain at times.”
”I am,” Nancy admitted ruefully. ”I was hoping you could relieve it.”
”There is very little I can do except put on another bandage. It will take time for the hand to heal.”
”The pain is so acute I haven't been able to sleep.”
”I can give you something for that,” the doctor said. ”Perhaps by morning the pain will have lessened considerably.”
Nancy thanked the doctor, and when she was back in her room took the medicine as directed. Soon she fell asleep and did not awaken until the sun streamed in through the window the following morning. As she opened her eyes Nancy heard someone rapping on the door connecting her room with that of Bess and George.
”May we come in?” Bess called.
”Yes,” Nancy called back.
George opened the door and commented in surprise, ”Not dressed yet?” Then, as she noticed how tired and wan her friend appeared, she added quickly, ”Nancy, you've had a bad night!”
”I slept fairly well after the doctor gave me some medicine and bound my hand again.”
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