Swinging around these groups of furniture and humanity, a number of tireless individuals were finding release for their energy in marching single file, counterclockwise, in a rhythm unbroken except when one would flop triumphantly into a vacant chair or another would hesitate in his stride to twirl a knob of the radio. At the opposite end a slap-bang card game was in progress. At the end of one, “Aunt Nellie” Nelson and “One-Eye” Connor, dignified in overalls, were playing checkers. Even as Beresford stood alert in the doorway, a chair in the row against the wall, almost next to him, was vacated and he slid into it, pulling out of his uncomfortable coat.Īs many patients as could find places were seated about two center tables, reading magazines and the morning papers. There was a restlessness here, like flotsam in flowing water a sitter here, another there, would be pulled to his feet and away. Well patronized on weekdays, on a Sunday morning such as this, when no doctors came and there were no treatments, insulin shots, or occupational classes, it was a case of standing room only.
BACKSEAT DRIVER SONG ACCOMPANIMENT WINDOWS
The big hall with its high, grilled windows and solid furniture served as meeting place, reading and writing room, library, and game room for the ward. The common room crossed the corridor at its top like a T. “Now you go up front and listen to the radio, George.” (Hop along, my boy, Papa’s busy.) Mike was young but his manner was fatherly his arm lay across Beresford’s shoulder as they walked away from the clothes room, down the long corridor, past the small, neat kitchen and dining room. “Who’s coming for you, Georgie? Your wife? Oh, oh - the little French babe, hey? Well, you be careful, Georgie - don’t forget to come back.” He could not, he knew, be funnier-looking than he was. “Here’s just the hat to go with it.” Beresford tried to strike a comic attitude as Mike pulled the thing hard down on his head, but it was no use. “A little big, but it’s cold out and those sleeves will keep your fingers warm.” He held up a cap of black cloth, round as a casserole, with vizor and ear-tabs provided with strings to tie beneath the chin. “That coat looks good on you, fella.” he said. MIKE, the Hospital attendant, whisked the collar of the oversize, canvas lumber-jacket up around Beresford’s ears and grinned.