Elsie

Chapter 22: A Fever

It was Wednesday morning when Elsie began to feel an ache in her throat. She groaned at the thought of catching a cold. She drank several cups of water in an attempt to keep her throat moist, but as the day went on, the soreness only grew. Muffling her cough, she helped Hannah add baby's breath in her hair, replicating her wedding look for the photographer who came later that afternoon.

Elsie ate dinner with Clement as had become her habit since their courtship began. As they ate, her head began to pound, but she refused to let Clement see it, forcing a smile at his ridiculous jokes.

On Thursday, Elsie woke immediately knowing she had a fever. Her body shook with chills, and she felt as if she were swallowing needles. She went about her chores in the morning, but she could no longer hide her illness from Nora.

"Elsie, your face is flushed," Nora worried, placing a hand on her forehead before Elsie could dodge. "My word, child! You have a fever!"

"I'm fine, Nora," Elsie assured her. "I just have a touch of a cold is all."

"Even if that's the case, you ought to lie down," Nora insisted. "Go to your room and rest."

"I don't—"

"I am not arguing with you," Nora snapped.

Elsie obeyed. At first, she lay atop her made up bed fully clothed, hoping to feel better in a couple of hours. When dinner time came and she felt even worse, she surrendered to Nora's nagging and changed into her nightgown, crawling under the covers.

The only thing she was thankful for at that moment, was that Clement had told her he wouldn't be home for dinner Thursday. Mr. Lane also informed her that Clement had a meeting that evening, so she wouldn't have to deal with him fretting over her the way that Nora was. By the time he got home, it would be bedtime, and she was determined to be up and about on Friday.

But on Friday, Elsie lay in bed miserably as her fever continued to burn. Every once in a while, Nora would check in and offer her a cup of water and a bite to eat. Elsie's throat was unbearably sore, and even taking sips of water felt impossible.

"Elsie, it's time we call for the doctor," Nora said pragmatically after Elsie had rejected her food once again.

"No," Elsie immediately refused. "It's only a cold. I'll be back to work in a day or two."

"Your fever has gotten higher–"

"Nora, I'm fine. Please. At least wait until tomorrow morning. If I still haven't improved by then, you may call for the doctor."

Nora looked her over skeptically.

"I'd hate to trouble the doctor over something so mundane as the common cold," Elsie insisted.

"Very well. Take another sip of water and then try to sleep."

Elsie obeyed, but she was unable to sleep. Each time she closed her eyes, they burned and stung behind her eyelids. Her body shook with chills. Her blanket was heavy, yet she was still cold. Her breath came shallow and her chest was tight. She tossed from side to side for more than two hours before finally drifting off into a fitful sleep.

Elsie didn't know how long it had been when she heard a knock on the door, but there was still plenty of sunshine coming through her window, so she guessed that she couldn't have slept long at all.

Not wanting Nora to see her half-awake, Elsie quickly grabbed her pillows, stuffing them up against the headboard and then sitting upright against them. Her quick activity made her dizzy, but she sat as straight as possible and plastered a weak smile onto her face just as the soft knock sounded again.