My Aunt Mabel continued

When she arrived in Minneapolis,Mabel was greeted by Matron Agnes at the train station. Greeted, was hardly an apt description, as the grim faced wizened woman barked orders and rules all the way to the hospital. Mabel was too excited to care however, and stared in awe at the five story building the horse cart had pulled up to. The next three days were a flurry of checking in, meeting house mates, and more rules upon rules. The most important and oft repeated seemed to be that nurses at Minneapolis General were under no circumstances to fraternize with any male staff. This was the least of Mable' s concerns.I  She began to worry about her first work day and if she would be able to measure up. Her parents had put so much faith in her to be allowed to travel so far. Mabel had always helped with the younger children. Now a new brother had just arrived and she was miles away. Try as she might, sleep eluded her that night.

By the time she had finished her shift and returned to her quarters the next day, Mabel' s legs felt like two sticks.  She had started out tired in the morning and had had no time to stop all day.  The nurses in charge had every minute of the day filled for the trainees with bedpan duties, linen changes, floors swept, bathrooms cleaned.  The hospital was very large and cleanliness was of paramount importance.  Another trainee named Mollie was also sharing quarters with Mabel.  "It's like bein a maid in a bloomin' hotel." She whispered to Mabel.  Student nurses weren't supposed to carry on any idle chatter.  They could only speak to each other  about hospital or patient related matters. "I wonder when we get to work with patients."  Mabel whispered back.  A matron started down the hall and they quickly returned to their duties.

When Mabel returned to her quarters she found a package had arrived from the farm.  Mollie was as excited as Mabel to see what mysteries lie within.  Mama had sent preserves, some pickles, a chocolate cake and fruit from the peach tree.  In the bottom of the package a new winter coat was wrapped around an odd shaped parcel.  "High buttoned shoes!" Squealed Mollie when they fell onto the floor.  Mabel was speechless.  They must have cost an awful lot.  On the farm all the children received one new pair of shoes every year.  Mama would buy one size larger for each child.  One year Mabel' s little sister Kitty had a growth spurt and the new shoes were too small.  Mama had her sit with hot towels wrapped around her feet squeezed into the shoes.  Mabel felt herself tearing up, she felt very homesick.