John went to Simon’s bedside. He was conscious but sweating profusely. John wet the towel with water again and put it on Simon’sforehead.
“You don’t have any staff to care for you?” Johnasked.
“I had to let them go. I couldn’t pay themanymore.”
“You have no one?” Simon shook his head. “When did you last eat or drinkanything?”
“I don’tknow.”
John was upset. “Simon, the doctor will be here presently and as soon as he arrives I’m going to make some tea and prepare you somefood.”
Simon laughed gently. “You know how tocook?”
“Don’t you remember us making Mother breakfast together when she was ill?” Simon nodded. “You do have tea, no? Andfood?”
“Tea yes. Food… not somuch.”
There was a knocking at the streetdoor.
“That must be the doctor, I’ll be rightback.”
John raced down the stairs and opened thedoor.
“The Duke of Lennox?” the man at the doorasked.
“Yes. DoctorBartholomew?”
“Iam.”
“Please come in. And thank you for attending to my brotherearlier.”
“How ishe?”
“Very high fever, and in and out ofconsciousness.”
“Then I must see himimmediately.”
John led the way up the stairs, and asked, “Do you have any idea what his illness mightbe?”
“I suspect scarlet fever. It’s been widely reported recently. But I’ll be able to tell more when I see him. Last time I was here the symptoms wereinconclusive.”
They went into Simon’s bedroom and the doctor went immediately to John’sbrother.
“Do you need me?” John asked. “I was going to make tea and fix him some food. Would you liketea?”
“Not for me. And please wait until I’ve examined him before you prepare food. Not sure he can eat much just yet or would be able to keep it down if he did. But he certainly needs lots of liquids. And most importantly, we need to get his feverdown.”
“I’ll waitthen.”
John stood at the side of the room and waited for the doctor to make his examination. Finally, Doctor Bartholomew turned to John and said, “See the red rash on his chest? It’s definitely scarlet fever. Just as Isuspected.”
“What can be done forhim?”
“I’ll drain some blood. That should help. And lots of liquids, and keep using the wet towel, to bring the fever down. And wait until he asks for food before you feedhim.”
“And what about nursing? Should I hire anurse?”
“If you like, but you can also attend to him. It’s up to you. There’s not much that can be done except for what I’ve toldyou.”
