Tien down the hallway, hovering. The worry lines on the girl’s face only mirrored Dolly’s heart.
Before Dolly could say a word or offer any comfort to the girl who idolized Yuen Qui, Tien disappeared down the hallway toward her bedroom.
Dolly exhaled and walked down the stairs to the kitchen, where she made tea in the quiet stillness of the night. Through the walls, she heard Yuen Qui struggle with another coughing fit. Soon, Dolly returned to Yuen Qui’s bedroom, and thankfully, the tea seemed to soothe her enough that she fell asleep.
Dolly sat in Yuen Qui’s room for another hour, until she could hardly keep her own eyes open. She finally made her way to her own bedroom, where she sank into a dreamless rest. But the hours somehow passed while she slept. And the moment dawn pierced the sky, Dolly awakened to a feeling of urgency. She needed to check on Yuen Qui.
When Dolly cracked open the woman’s door, she was pleased to see that Yuen Qui still slept peacefully. A shape on the floor caught Dolly’s attention, and she found Tien curled up on the rug, also sleeping.
Quietly, Dolly crossed to the bed. Upon closer inspection, she found another handkerchief spotted with blood. She couldn’t delay any longer, and she left the bedroom to telephone the doctor to come immediately.
Two hours passed before the doctor could arrive and make his diagnosis. By that time, the rest of the household had risen, finished morning chores, eaten breakfast, attended devotional, and were now involved in their various classes and activities.
Tien hovered at the bedroom doorway of Yuen Qui while Dolly sat on the single chair, waiting for the doctor’s exam to be finished. Dolly hadn’t the heart to send Tien away, although the girl should have been in class.
So Tien heard every word the doctor said.
“Tuberculosis,” the doctor said in a grave tone. “An advanced case, I’m afraid.”
“Are you sure?” Dolly had to ask because she didn’t want to believe her friend could be so sick.
“I’m sure, Miss Cameron.” He slowly packed up his medical bag, then turned to look her square in the eyes. “And I am very sorry.”
Dolly nodded, her eyes burning with tears. Yuen Qui had fallen into a restless sleep again, worn out by the examination. “How long?” Dolly whispered.
The doctor glanced at the doorway. Tien had disappeared.
“A couple of weeks at the most,” the doctor said.
The diagnosis rocked through Dolly. Losing Yuen Qui would be painful, and it would devastate Tien. “Is there nothing to be done?”
The doctor shook his head, his eyes filled with sorrow, but Dolly took no comfort in commiserating.
The doctor rested his hand briefly on Dolly’s shoulder. “I will inform Miss Thompson, then show myself out.”
She nodded, but she couldn’t meet his gaze. Her eyes were trained on the sleeping form in the bed. Had Yuen Qui comprehended what the doctor said? The minutes passed, and Dolly wasn’t sure how long she sat in the chair across the room, trying to absorb the doctor’s news. As the sounds of the house hummed about her while the residents went about their day, all that Dolly could focus on was the stilted breathing of Yuen Qui.
It seemed that loss surrounded her at every turn. First, Miss Culbertson had died. Ah Cheng had married and moved. Mrs. Field had quit. Mrs. Browne had retired. Now sweet and lovely Yuen Qui was on her deathbed.
“Please, Lord,” Dolly whispered, “give me strength.” She rose to her feet and crossed to Yuen Qui’s bedside, where she knelt and clasped the sleeping woman’s hand.
Yuen Qui stirred but didn’t open her eyes.
There was nothing left to do but pray.
That, and find the grieving Tien. She would suffer deeply. Another, more acute fear had taken root inside Dolly. In the Chinese culture, grieving wives would often take their own lives after a husband died. Although there was no marriage here, Tien loved Yuen Qui like a mother.
But when Dolly went in search of her, Tien had barricaded herself in her room, and no cajoling would bring her out. Defeat stole through Dolly’s whole being, and she slid to the floor outside the bedroom and leaned against the wall, hoping and praying that Tien would eventually let her in.
“What is it?” Frances Thompson asked, joining Dolly in the hallway.
“Tien refuses to open her door,” Dolly said.
Frances looked from the closed door to Dolly. “Perhaps she needs to work out her grief on her own.”
Dolly exhaled. “But I’m afraid she’ll see no