2 June; Sick-berth

"Good lad." It was now a matter of time to find out if the watered-down dose would do its intended work. Farley turned away, looking for the leather-bound book in which he was to record all treatments administered.

De Guarde carried the bottle of laudanum back to its shelf, the glass was washed, dried and also returned to its spot. The flask he carried to the other side of the room and set it down. He glanced at the table and then at Farley.

"Do yer need me to do anything else? ..Copy yer writin' into another book, or summat?" He could write well, and he was eager to do as much as Farley would tell him.

"No. That will do, for now." Farley smiled. "You may take some rest now, if you would like."

" Thank you, sir. I'll be 'bout if you'll need me! " The laudanum seemed to be working. The fact he had taken the dose and his conviction that there was a fairly good dose of it, somehow made it hurt less.

He decided a short nap would do and then he could go fetch his papers from his and Chase's chest. It would be a good way to pass time when Mister Farley did not need him, but he would remain in sick-berth.

"Good lad." Farley watched the boy move away. It was hard to tell how much the lad had taken in from their conversation. But it was early days yet. He'd have to see how De Guarde conducted himself later that afternoon, and tomorrow, and the day after that. The surgeon smiled slightly. One step at a time.

De Guarde left the surgeon to curl up where he could remain undisturbed. Once he settled himself there and adjusted his trousers so that they hung loose where it was most important he attempted to sleep. He appeared rather more successful than before. The trick with the laudanum must have half worked, else perhaps it was the dose that did. He did not know, nor care to ask or guess.

It took him a little while before he stirred again. The gentle sway of the ship leaving him fairly comfortable and the pain almost completely gone. He sighed and smiled. Stretched and checked where he was. Pushing himself to his feet, he made another sweeping glance around the sickbay. Everything was in place, the table was empty and clean, the tools stored away for the latter use. All the strips of cloth, needed for the injured, were also folded and stored. He nodded, confident that everything was in order.

"I'll go t' have some fresh air." He called, not sure whether Farley was in or not, or whether any of the others were, but making his absence known. He would get the papers now, so that he would be able to remain in the sickberth even when not on duty and could busy himself to not follow the uncomfortable path of boredom. With another glance at the sickbay and with his spirits rather high, he left the sickbay and ascended the companionway,heading on deck.

De Guarde goes to Boys at Play )