The Canadian Highland
Page 18
Chapter 14
The cough keeps me from having a peaceful sleep. I try to settle, yet the air is dry, and I sometimes find it difficult to catch my breath. No sooner do I feel calm when another wave of coughing spills out from inside my chest.
We sleep so close to each other, I sometimes wonder if my dreams are my own. There are long periods of time where no one talks with each other. I can hear the breathing, I know Mama and Papa are awake, but the mere ability to speak takes too much effort, too much strength.
“She’s so hot,” Mama quietly says to Papa as I feel the back of her hand, cool on my forehead. “We’ll need to fetch Dr. Edwards here as soon as we can.”
“We’ll wait till morning, and then I’ll make sure he comes over.”
The sickness came suddenly. Then again, I haven’t felt right in a long time. I forget what it means to be healthy. Although not sick at the moment, Liam is also suffering in this barren wilderness. He has lost the adventurous spirit of his early days at the fort.
Taking the worst of it is my baby brother Calum. Content for a short while at York Factory, I worry if my little brother has the strength for this. Mama and Papa put on a brave face. Mrs. Docherty helps where she can, yet Calum cries most nights. He’s small for his six months.
The next morning, Dr. Edwards paid a visit to our cabin. He spoke quietly with Mama for a while, asking questions about sleep and food. Once finished with her, he came and bent over top to take a good look at me.
“Good morning Molly. How are you feeling today?”
“Not much better than yesterday doctor,” I responded. “My mouth feels so dry, and I think some of my teeth are coming loose. And I feel so tired all the time. Even with a little sleep I hardly have the strength to raise my head.”
“Molly understand what I’m about to tell you. The sickness you have is very common for people who have either travelled across the ocean or had to live on a steady diet of salt provisions. Your body is in pain because of the lack of fruits and vegetables here.” Looking at Mama and Papa with concern, Doctor Edwards continued. “If not treated, the scurvy can become very serious, but I want you to know you are in good hands. You are not the first person to be struck with the illness, and you will also not be the last. I am going to have your mother boil some water, and with it she is going to mix a drink that contains crystallized salts of lemon. I want you to drink every last drop and then get some rest. I will come by tomorrow to see how you are doing.”
Dr. Edwards gave Mama a small pouch with the lemon crystals inside. He directed her to use half of the package now, and the second half later on in the day after I had the opportunity to rest. Papa helped to lift my head up so I could drink the odd potion. It was one of the strangest things I have ever tasted. The drink made me feel comfortable almost immediately, and within minutes of taking it I started to sleep soundly.
When I awoke, I still felt a little weak, but I was starting to get better. “How are you doing Molly?” asked Liam sitting beside me.
“I feel weak, but I think whatever it was the doctor gave me is working.”
“That’s good news,” Liam quietly squealed. “I’ve been listening to Papa and Uncle Willie talk, and they say the sickness is starting to spread around the camp. You’re the first one here, but in some of the other cabins, Dr. Edwards has had to help sometimes two or three people. And you know what Molly? MacDonell is getting really mean about it.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Mr. MacDonell thinks it’s our fault for getting sick.”
“How is that even possible?” I asked.
Just then, Mama woke up beside me. “Liam, what have you been saying to your sister?”
“I just wanted to be here when she woke up,” Liam quickly responded. “I also started to tell her how MacDonell blames us for getting sick.”
“Where did you hear such a thing?” snapped my mother.
“Angus told me he heard it from his father after he was talking to some of the men in one of the other cabins.”
“Just as I thought,” replied Mama. “Listen Liam, your sister is still very sick. The last thing she needs is to worry about things that are no concern to her. And they are no concern to you as well. Do you understand?”
Poor Liam looked like he was about to cry. I felt like I had to come to his defence. “Mama, I’m feeling much better. Whatever it was Dr. Edwards gave me, it seems to be working. Don’t be too cross with Liam. He saw I was awake, and he wanted to find out how I was doing.”
“I know Molly,” said Mama. “And Liam, I don’t want you to think I am angry at you. You just have to be careful about what it is you hear, and what it is you say. Sometimes, before you know it, a small truth can turn into a large lie as it passes from mouth to mouth. And even if what you say about Mr. MacDonell is true, it’s not for you or your sister to concern yourself about.”
Finished with her rebuke about the evils of gossip, Mama started to boil some water so I could once again drink the sour medicine from Dr. Edwards. Mama seems to get stronger when her children are weaker…