He was there personally to invite Tess Moran, sister of the patient within, to the grand holiday feast that was slated for later that day. His attentiveness was political, of course: Tess Moran had contributed a sizable amount of money to the institute which was open to all, including the poor—and as a result chronically pressed for funding. When Tess and her sister ended their stay at the sanatorium later in the week, he wanted them to leave with fond memories of the center that had promised, and delivered, a gratifying improvement to Maggie's health. Maggie would never be entirely cured; but then, neither would the doctor himself, or many on his staff, including a number of nurses. They were members of a not-so-exclusive club of consumptives whose numbers seemed to be growing every year; not for nothing was tuberculosis called The White Plague. But in Saranac Lake its victims were among their own, in a town filled with enterprising types who were more than happy to build them cure cottages, or administer to their pharmaceutical needs, or cater to the lavish but healthy meals that were a hallmark of taking The Cure.
What do You think about By The Sea, Book One: Tess?
