Page 36 - Fever 1793

and silent, but she was breathing. “That was ten ounces of blood. I’ll come back tomorrow to take another ten. She needs to purge the disease still in her stomach and bowels. She’ll need ten grains of jalap and ten grains of calomel. It will be dirty work to care for her, but it should clean her system efficiently.”
“But she’s so pale,” I said. “Can’t the medicines wait a day or so?”
Mother finally roused. She blinked her eyes and pointed at me. “Get her out!” she whispered. “Out!” A cough choked off the rest of her words.
Doctor Kerr and Eliza struggled to calm her.
“Go wait in the kitchen, Mattie,” Eliza said. “She won’t settle until you are gone. She doesn’t want you here. She’s afraid you’ll get sick.”
Dr. Kerr took me by the arm before I could protest. He led me down the stairs like a lamb on a string.
“She doesn’t want you to see the worst. You can help down here. I’m sure Eliza would appreciate a cup of tea. Lucille is a strong woman. With God’s mercy she will survive this peril.”
Grandfather was waiting for us at the bottom of the stairs.
Dr. Kerr got right to the point. “Yellow fever, William. There’s no doubt. I advise you send Matilda out of the city at once.”
“What?” I asked.
Grandfather sat heavily in a kitchen chair. “Lucille has been wanting her out of town.”
“No!” I stamped my foot on the floor. “You can’t send me away! I need to be here—I need to help!
You can’t send me away.”
Dr. Kerr frowned. “I understand, Matilda. These are difficult days for us all. Sensible people have
turned mad overnight. They’re rinsing their clothes in vinegar and wearing tarred ropes around their necks. This is no place for a young girl like you.”
I wiped my eyes on my sleeve. “Why can’t Mother come with me? Wouldn’t it be better for her in the country air?”
“No town will let her in,” explained Dr. Kerr. “They turn all fever victims away. Your cook can care for your mother. Your grandfather can travel with you. This is the best for all.”
Grandfather tried to smile. “We’ll make it an adventure, lass.” He turned as Eliza came down the steps carrying filthy sheets.
“I’ve explained to Matilda that she’ll be leaving,” Dr. Kerr said.
“’Tis best,” Eliza said.
“I advise you to hire a wagon as soon as possible,” Dr. Kerr said. He picked up his medical case.
“They’re scarce as hen’s teeth. Remember to tie a yellow cloth to the front railing. This coffeehouse is officially closed.”
As he closed the door behind him, I started to argue. “We haven’t heard from the Ludingtons! I can’t turn up without an invitation. Let me stay one more day, Eliza. Grandfather, surely you understand!”
“We want to keep you safe, lass,” Grandfather said as he pulled himself to his feet. He paused to cough, then put on his hat. “I’m off to find us a coach.”
This could not be happening. They were sending me off, sending me away to strangers!
“You’ll let me stay, won’t you Eliza?”
Eliza swung the kettle over the fire to boil. “Mattie, you are like kin to me, as is your mother. I can’t
let you stay here. Lucille doesn’t want it and neither do I.”
Her face was grim and set in a way I had never seen before. No amount of cajoling would change her
mind.
“I’ll pack a hamper of food for your trip,” she said. She paused by the sideboard to pick something up.
“I nearly forgot. This was by the front door when I came in. It’s addressed to you.” “Who would send anything to me?”