It had to be You

asked.
    “Their exact words.“
    “This is something I can fix. Sit down and I’ll contact Dr. Polhemus.“
    “I’ll come with you. I want a word or two with him.”
    Miss Twibell said firmly, “No. You will not. Sit down here and wait.“ She hadn’t been sworn to secrecy but didn’t want Mrs. Connor eavesdropping if she had to explain what the judge had said in the hearing. Miss Twibell didn’t know if any- one had yet told Mrs. Connor that her husband had been smothered to death. She didn’t wish to be the one to reveal this and set off more fireworks.
    Lily came into the room as this conversation was ending and said, “Oh, Mrs. Connor, I haven’t had the chance to say how sorry I was about your husband’s passing away. I’ll call down to the kitchen to get you a cup of coffee. Or would you prefer tea?”
    While this foolish but helpful talk was going on, Miss Twibell slipped silently out the door and went to her suite, locking Mrs. Connor out.
    Miss Twibell was back in a few minutes to find Mrs. Connor doing her whole rant again for Lily’s and Betty’s enlightenment. Both of them pretended to sympathize with her plight. Mrs. Connor obviously thrived on this concern for her from nice young ladies.
    Miss Twibell smiled gratefully at the two young women and said to Mrs. Connor, “It’s taken care of. In a way. Of course the actual death certificate hasn’t been officially approved by the state yet, but Dr. Polhemus is calling the funeral home and telling them what it says and they will probably release Mr. Connor for burial by tomorrow.”
    Mrs. Connor said, “Very well. I’ll check with the funeral home later today instead of wasting my time driving back here tomorrow.“ And with that, she departed just as the cook’s skivvy arrived with coffee, cups and saucers, and a plate of cookies.
    The skivvy said, “I’ll take this back since your guest has left.“
    “You’ll do no such thing,“ Miss Twibell said. “We need it ourselves.“ When the skivvy was gone, Miss Twibell looked at Lily and Betty and added, “I didn’t hear anything that sounded like ‘thank you’ from Mrs. Connor. Betty, you pour. And give me a little extra sugar, please.”
    When the three of them had consumed this treat to the last drop and crumb, Miss Twibell went to check on Mattie.
    “Where has she gone this time?“ she asked Lily and Betty.
    “I checked her an hour ago,“ Betty said. “When I left she was reading a book.”
    Miss Twibell looked for Mattie in the bathroom. Then came back and ducked into the storeroom. Her next effort was to knock on Miss Smith’s and Miss Jones’s door.
    “Come in,“ Miss Smith chirped.
    Mattie was sitting on the edge of Miss Smith’s bed, her hands full of yarn, taking a knitting lesson.
    Miss Twibell said, “Mattie, I’d like to have a word with you in your own room.”
    Mattie followed, casting a sad look at Betty and Lily as she passed them.
    “Mattie,“ Miss Twibell said after closing the door, “you’ve always been good at taking my orders. You’ve never failed to do what I ask of you promptly and efficiently.“
    “Thank you, ma’am,“ Mattie said, looking down at the floor.
    “Look at me when I’m speaking to you, dear. You’re a good nurse. But you’re not a nurse now. You’re a patient. You must still do as I tell you. You’re going to stop wandering around without my permission. If you fail, you may find yourself without a job here when you’re well.”
    Mattie started sniffling and Miss Twibell pushed a clean handkerchief into her hand.
    “Don’t make a scene,“ Miss Twibell said. “Here are the rules. Your breakfast will be brought to your room. If your breathing, blood pressure, and heartbeat are satisfactory or better, you may, with my permission, come out and sit in the living room from ten to eleven. And after lunch in your own room, under the same conditions, you may also come out from three to four in the afternoon after your nap. If you need anything, just push the bell next to your bed.”
    Mattie wiped her nose, sniffed one last time, and said, “I’m sorry I’ve been naughty. It’s just so boring staying in bed all day.“
    “I know it is, dear. But the last two times I’ve checked you, you’ve made no improvement. That’s why you must obey the rules. I couldn’t face your mother and father if you became more ill under my care. I want to hear your promise.“
    “I promise,“ Mattie said, completely cowed by this