Cold All the Way Through, But Warming

Plans

I prepared for my first day visiting the hospital's convalescents as best I could. I packed not only Around the World in 80 Days, but several other books and a box of chocolate bars that Mother had sent. I spent an hour the night before brushing Rigel, having been assured that he would be allowed to come with so long as he was well behaved and didn't make a mess. He was quite glad to hop into the car and have the entire back to himself, although it did take me some time to calm him down once we reached the hospital. He almost pranced around me, sniffing along the wall of the hospital.

I glanced away as he lifted his leg, then tugged him along once he was finished. The secretary, forewarned of my coming, directed me upstairs to the ward I had been allowed to visit. It contained roughly a dozen men, all in the hospital uniform of loose blue jackets and brass buttons. Beds for them lined the walls, a number of chairs and tables scattered around. A battered upright piano sat in the corner, clearly well loved.

I was immediately the subject of attention, all of them turning to me as the secretary stepped in. She sniffed, "This is Mrs. Murdoch, she's come to read to you and provide what entertainment she can." She turned, stopping to gently grasp my shoulder. "Most of them are fairly calm, but if any of them get upset or try and grab you, run for a nurse."

I took a breath, gave her a smile and a nod, and stepped forward. "Hello, everyone." I cast my eyes around the room, taking in my audience. Some of them were still in bed, some at the tables, but all seemed to be missing something. Bandages over eyes, sleeves and trousers pinned up, crutches and wheelchairs waiting to be used. I didn't focus on that though, simply taking a breath. "You can call me Anne, Mrs. Murdoch is a bit formal." I had decided it would be simpler to avoid the subject of my actual name entirely if Dr. Humphry was so worried about it.

That drew a bit of a chuckle, and one of the men with a pinned up sleeve, stood from the table he was at. "We don't stand on ceremony much here anyway, ma'am." He looked down, "You've got quite a dog there."

"Oh yes," I gestured down to him, "This is Rigel, he's a great comfort to me and I thought he might be one for you as well." I walked further into the room, Rigel's great tail beginning to wag as the first few men offered their hands to be smelled before petting him. "He's very gentle, would anyone mind if I let him off his leash?"

A chorus of no's sounded, and Rigel happily began to patrol the room and receive attention. The one armed man who had spoken first reached down and ruffled his ears. "Ah, aren't you a right old gent?" He straightened, looking to me. "Suppose I should introduce myself, Lieutenant Luke Collins, Hood Battalion."

Introductions were quickly made around the room, all of them sailors and a good deal of them not from Britain. Some were Canadian, some Australian, even a few were from New Zealand. I remembered Ada's request to be kind to the Anzacs and gave them a wide smile when they were introduced. I found myself in a chair offered by Lieutenant Collins, reaching into my bag. "Well, I happen to be from New York, but my husband is in the Royal Navy so I came over here to be near him." I drew the book out, setting it down before reaching for the box of chocolate. "I brought one of my favorite books and a treat for all of you."

The chocolate was met with gasps, and even the ones in bed sat up. One of them, his right eye hidden by bandages, licked his lips. "You brought that for us, ma'am?"

"Well, I can hardly eat it all myself." I teased, standing to bring him a bar. I didn't avoid looking at his bandages, but neither did I stare. I simply looked at him as I would look at anyone, and smiled when he whispered his thanks for the chocolate.

Each man was as giddy as a schoolboy to receive his own chocolate bar, and they fell back into their quiet talk while I read aloud. Some followed the story closely, even asking me to repeat a line, while other would cock their heads every now and then to listen in. All in all, it was a fairly relaxed atmosphere. None of the men were aggressive, and none tried to touch me.