The Andre Norton Megapack - 15 Classic Novels and Short Stories

ill wind—this hideous Murder-In-The-Country she’d been wishing on them with all her senseless chatter on the night of the bazaar—had blown her good things, she thought guiltily. There was no doubt about it. She had gained not only customers but friends like Connie and Thane—and Peter. But she mustn’t think too much about Peter—
    At this moment, Miss Sanders reappeared. “Parcel for you,” she announced, “and if you’ve finished, I’ll just take your tray.”
    “Yes, please.” Fredericka opened the package eagerly and then laughed. A pile of paperbacked murder mysteries tumbled out on the bed. Miss Sanders, who had stood by to watch the opening, reached over and picked up a folded sheet of white paper.
    “Here’s some sort of note,” she said.
    Fredericka fairly snatched the letter. She read:
    Dear Fredericka,
    I have made this large purchase at your bookshop and from your efficient new assistant. I asked specially for murders with a country setting, and Connie says she’s done her best. So please get to them right away and I have every hope that this overdose will cure you forever—and Amen—
    I’ll collect you around four and hope you feel up to an evening at the Careys. Connie’s not having anyone else so it oughtn’t to be too tiring for you. We’ve all recovered sufficiently to want to iron out the wrinkles in this case and then file it clean away.
    Quite yours,
    Peter
    For some reason Fredericka flushed and Miss Sanders looked at her critically. Then she smiled: “Well, I’ll leave you to it. Now you won’t be sitting on that push button all morning like you did yesterday afternoon.”
    “Oh, Nurse, I am sorry.” But Miss Sanders had left before she could hear this unnecessary apology.
    In spite of the murders, Fredericka’s morning dragged and the bed grew hot and sticky. By noon she had had enough of it, and of the books. “I guess I am forever cured,” she said out loud to the empty room. She decided to get dressed, ask for the crutch Miss Sanders had promised her, and do a little experimenting with it. By afternoon she was fairly sure of herself and feeling very much recovered. She even went calling on some of the other patients down the corridor. Then, when she returned to her room at three the young substitute nurse came in to tell her that Mrs. Sutton, who was in the other wing, had asked to see her.
    Fredericka limped after the nurse, more rapidly than she would have believed possible. She found Mrs. Sutton propped up against some large pillows, looking very frail and white.
    “My dear Fredericka,” she greeted her, “when I heard you were here, and leaving so soon, I felt I must see you for a moment.”
    Fredericka smiled as she stood her crutch against the wall and lowered herself into the large chair by the bed. Then she reached across and took the thin hand in hers in a sudden gesture of affection.
    “It’s all over,” Mrs. Sutton said quietly.
    “Yes. And once you’re rested, everything will be all right again.”
    “I expect so. But I shall miss Philippine.” She stopped and her next words came with obvious difficulty: “We mustn’t judge her too harshly. It’s the upsidedown-ness of the world that brings out the wickedness in all of us—warps us in our souls, like Philippine, or in our bodies and spirits, like Roger.”
    How good she is, Fredericka thought, and how much she has suffered. She wanted to find the right words in answer but for a moment she could not speak. Then, in a rush, the right words came: “Thane and Peter both tell me that Roger is getting well—and that he has everything—everything you need.”
    Mrs. Sutton smiled and for the first time there was a fleeting look of happiness on her face. Then it vanished as she said, quickly: “But I didn’t ask you to come here to console me, rather to apologize to you for what my family have done to you. I don’t think Philippine intended to—I mean—oh dear. I just am very sorry, Fredericka. And once I’m mended and restored I shall try to make it up to you.”
    Fredericka stood up and moved awkwardly to the bed. Then she stooped down and kissed the soft cheek lightly. “I know you will want to. But there’s no need. I’m really happy in South Sutton and perhaps I wouldn’t have been otherwise—” She blundered on hurriedly: “Aside from anything else, I wouldn’t have come to know you so well if it hadn’t been for all this.”
    Margaret Sutton made no attempt to