The Child Manuela: Mädchen in Uniform book (new translation)

Chapter 6: XX

A night light burns in the sick-room. A soft green glow lies over the bed and the sleeping child. A door opens outside. Quiet speaking. "How is she, nurse Hanni?"

"Better, Fräulein von Bernburg. She was terribly restless, her heart is very weak. I had to give her an injection. But she is very exhausted still. She must have absolute rest and good care, says Herr Surgeon-Major."

Nurse Hanni opens the door and allows Fräulein von Bernburg to enter. She pushes a chair towards her, but Fräulein von Bernburg refuses with a wave of her hand.

She is standing at the foot of the bed. Sister Hanni has left. Manuela has opened her mouth as if she wants to speak. But her eyes are closed tightly. Dark shadows frame her. Her face seems sunken, but that doesn't make it any less child-like. One hand is resting on her breast, the other—like her toddler habit—is behind her head. Frau Käte used to take this hand away from there and place it on her chest with the other. But Fräulein von Bernburg doesn't dare to do that. She puts her own hands together on the cool, white edge of the iron bed as if she were praying. Her face suddenly changes. Her posture softens. The stern mouth softens and trembles a little. Her eyes half close over the dark pupils, her gaze remains fixed on the child, although her eyelids lowered. As if tired, her shoulders slump.

With the last of her energy, she turns away and walks out, leaning on the table briefly. There is no one outside. The corridors are dark. Only quick shadows play on the white walls. The wind blows the thin, green trees back and forth in front of the windows. The street is wet. The lanterns give unsafe light. A tired step climbs the stairs. Two windows remain bright.