“How long will he take toheal?”
“Can’t say.” He stood up and came over to John and said quietly, “There is no guarantee he will even survive. This is a very dangerous disease. In fact, you might be in dangertoo.”
“Oh… what must I do to protectmyself?”
“Burn all his clothing, sheets, anything that might be contaminated. And let me know if you feel any illness comingon.”
This frightened John and his first thought was for Elizabeth, Aunt Clarissa, and Miss Susan. What would they do if he died? But he shook off those thoughts and replied. “Yes, Doctor, I will dispose of thecontamination.”
“Then I shall get to work with the bloodletting. And keep applying the wettowels.”
Simon was unconscious during the procedure, and John kept the towel wet. When the doctor had finished, he stood and disposed of theblood.
When he returned he said, “I must go. What we are looking for now is for his fever to break. If there are any changes, let me know. Here is my card where I can be reached. It’s just down the street and around the corner. And I should bill youwhere?”
“Haverford Estate, near Preston,Kent.”
“Sir,” the doctor said, touching his hat. And goodevening.”
