A Match for Sister Maggy by Betty Neels

to the door and peered into the corridor. There was a dim light at the head of the stairs, and nothing to be seen, but the sounds, faint as a whisper, were still playing a duet with the wind. Maggy left the door open and padded across her room and into that of her patient. Mevrouw Doelsma was sleeping quietly. Maggy slid into the corridor and down the stairs; the dining room door was slightly open and there was a thin ribbon of light gleaming palely from it. She crossed the hall, thoughtfully picking up a poker as she passed the massive stove against one wall. The dining room was in darkness, but the kitchen beyond was brightly lit. She went steadily towards the partly open door, swallowing fear with a throat gone dry, and pushed it open. There were two people in the kitchen; one of themwas Dr Doelsma. He and a very pretty girl were sitting side by side on the kitchen table in the middle of the room. He looked over his shoulder as Maggy went in, put down the mug he was holding, and got to his feet.
    â€˜Sister MacFergus, were we making so much noise?’ He caught sight of the poker and came forward and took it from her. ‘An Amazon, and armed!’ he murmured with a twinkle, then turned to the girl still sitting on the table and said casually,
    â€˜Stien, this is Sister MacFergus, of whom I told you.’ He smiled at Maggy, standing pokerless and awkward between the door and the kitchen table. ‘May I introduce Juffrouw Stien van der Duren from Utrecht hospital?’
    The girl got off the table and came over to Maggy, holding out her hand. She was small, barely up to Maggy’s shoulder, and slim and very pretty with fair hair hanging in a shining curtain to her shoulders. Maggy shook hands, aware of her own junoesque proportions enveloped rather bunchily in a sensible dressing gown.
    â€˜How do you do,’ she said rather stiffly. ‘I’m sorry I disturbed you. I heard noises and thought I should see who it was. I’ll wish you both a good night.’
    She turned to the door, the dignified exit she had planned quite spoiled by a chair which she hadn’t noticed and which she now tripped over. The doctor’s large hand prevented her from falling, but she didn’t look at him as she brushed past him with a muttered, ‘My thanks to the doctor.’
    As she went up the stairs she heard the girl’s soft laughter.
    Maggy awoke early and dressed, made her patient comfortable with her morning tea, and went down to get her own breakfast. Picking up her second cup of coffee, she took it to the window and stood looking out across the park. Presently she became aware of two people canteringtowards the house, and had no difficulty in recognising them. The doctor, on a raw-boned bay worthy of his size, was slightly ahead, but drew in his mount so that his companion could catch up with him. Stien, Maggy noted sourly, looked as attractive on horseback as she did on her two feet. She watched them turn the corner of the house, talking animatedly, before going back to the table, banging her cup and saucer down on it, and going to the door. She had her hand on its big brass handle when she heard her name. Dr Doelsma had come in through the french window.
    â€˜Good morning—I saw you at the window. Have you breakfasted?’ He scanned the table. ‘I hadn’t expected you up so early.’
    She stood very straight, her voice as crisp and severe as her uniform.
    â€˜Your mother likes her breakfast about this time. It’s easier if I have mine first. I’m used to early rising, Dr Doelsma.’
    He surveyed her coolly. ‘I hope you were not too badly frightened last night, Maggy?’
    The unfairness of this remark brought a vexed flush to her cheeks, but she answered in a level voice ‘If I had been badly frightened, sir, I should not have left my bedroom.’
    He raised his eyebrows and grinned at her and seemed about to say something further, but turned