Árdís - 01.01.1953, Qupperneq 49

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
47
handkerchief, when Dr. Midfjord entered the room. “He is too
young,” she thought. “What can the young know about growing
old?” She watched him seated at his desk, reading her case history.
His chin was square, his nose aquiline, his eyes dark brown, topped
by heavy straight brows, and his hair was a glossy black, with deep
waves. He had the tan of a sailor, or farmer, almost swarthy. He
was handsome, if one admired dark men.
“I see you have a grown family, and are widowed.” His strong
white teeth flashed in a winning smile. “Tell me about your married
life.”
How could one tell that in a few words? “First after we
married things were a bit difficult,” she told him. “We lived in a
flat above a store in Neepawa. Later, my husband was transferred
to Winnipeg. We built a house, and our four children were raised
there. Paul was home loving. As time passed we remodeled the
kitchen, and replaced the coal burning furnace by an oil burner.
Paul liked working with wood, and had a lathe and all kinds of
tools in the basement.” She opened and closed her bag. “We often
planned what we would do on his retirement. We prepared things
for our growing old. But he didn’t reach retirement age. Now I
am alone.”
“Yes,” Dr. Midfjord said. “Tell me, did you grow flowers and
vegetables?”
“My husband liked growing things. We had both.”
“So, I suppose you didn’t keep a dog.”
“Oh yes, the children were fond of pets. They always had a
dog. Also a cat.” A quick smile flashed across her face. “You
mightn’t believe it, but we also had canaries.”
“Of course I believe you.” Dr. Midfjord doodled on a prescrip-
tion pad. “Kids, cats, dogs, and birds,” he mused. “A healthy old
fashioned family. All getting on reasonably well, and thriving
splendidly.”
“Yes,” Grace said in a small voice, “we really did.”
“You have worked hard,” he said, “and had heavy responsibility.
But now your family is gone, and you have nothing to keep you
busy.”
“That’s right, doctor.” She drew a deep breath, and released
it in a sigh. “Now I feel too tired to do anything.”