Eaton’s Catalogue: Hats for 1909 fall and winter.
Flora’s plans were put off once again, because Margaret came down with a very sore throat the next day and called for the Dr. Moffat.
He came within the hour and said she had tonsillitis. First Mrs. Montgomery, now her.
He gave her some amoxcillin, along with a nerve tonic which contained alcohol, not that she knew it, and told her to stay in bed.
Flora and May took care of the fires, and got their own breakfast although Flora still went to school as usual.
That was Margaret’s idea and considering how serious tonsillitis was – in that it could develop into pneumonia – Flora suspected Margaret knew more about her mediocre marks on the Easter Exams than she let on.
As it was, Mrs. Montgomery was always running in with something for Margaret and the girls to eat, so they got on fine. Other friends, the Skinners and Mrs. Beiber sent in chicken broth.
“I never knew such neighbours as we have,”said Margaret one morning a few days later when she felt almost recovered, her sore throat completely gone.
“I couldn’t have been that sick if doctor only came three times, ” she added.
Still, I am glad I did not tell Father about it.
Norman had written two days before to tell her how foolish he thought Mr. Montgomery for wanting an auto. She had not yet answered and was worried that he would sense that something was crooked at home.
So, she wrote back that afternoon: Well you think Mr. Montgomery foolish? Well, everyone does. Dr. Moffat said, “Strange how restless man are. I suppose at one time he would think, if he only had a house in Richmond and could live comfortable, he would be happy.” Mrs. Montgomery said she had put him off the notion for a year, but now it is no use, nothing else will do him. Poor man, putting himself and everyone else in danger. I would have lots of money before I would want an auto.”
Ps. I have not heard from Herb. He is making me ill.
She wrote something like that in the post script of all her letters, lately. It was becoming one of those mannerisms, that had no real meaning.
She gave the letter to Flora to post, and left the envelope unsealed in case Flora wanted to add a bit, to please her father. She did not want to write anything, but she read over her mother’s letter all the same. It was nice to see that Margaret appreciated her and May and that she said nothing about the exam results she had not yet seen. Phew. Her mother had so many burdens. Yes, many burdens, but also many good friends, and that was a great consolation. Especially when a family had no men around to take charge.
As Flora walked to the mail she made her plans for the next day. After school, she would drop into Hudon’s to bring back the Delineator Magazine she had borrowed. And she’d just happen to be wearing her new Poppy hat. Hopefully, Miss Hudon would comment on it (how in fashion it was) and then Flora could happily inform her how she had made it, herself, from the frame up. And, then, perhaps Miss Hudon would ask if she enjoyed making hats and then, even, offer her a position as a designer, is she was impressed enough. Well, maybe that was expecting too much, from this first sally of hers, into the mysterious world of the working woman.
Eaton’s Catalogue: Hats for 1909 fall and winter.
