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Show Nettie, Page 61 The flesh at last literally reached the bursting point and jagged tears in the skin released blood and fluid. Mama's tears mingled with them as she bathed the poor tortured skin and bandaged the wounds, chan^ng the dressings as they became soggy with the drainage. "St least it has eased her pain," Mama sighed one night. "That's true, she seems to be resting easier now," Papa agreed. As the arms and legs returned slowly to normal size once more, the legs began pulling up, until the knees were stiffly bent at the sitting angle, though Nettie was still prostrate in bed. When Mama tried to straighten them they resisted, and afraid of hurting her daughter even more, Mama had no choice but to let the paralysis take its course. Gradually Nettie seemed to gain strength and become more aware of her surroundings. Mama spoon fed her vegetable broth, and small sops of bread soaked in milk and honey. Days stretched into weeks and gradually the blue shadows under Nettie's eyes gave way to a healthier pink skin tone. She was very thin, but some color began to come back to her cheeks. She was still so weak she hardly moved, and her arms were stiff though not as paralyzed as her legs. Clarence seemed to be happy playing near her and Nettie could now watch him and be amused once more at his manly little games and efforts to entertain her. It was during one ;f these attempts at conversation that he asked, "What happened to your hair, Nettie?" "Oh, it must be a mess," Nettie replied. "Mama hasn't had time to brush it for ever so long." Clarence's eyes grew round as his eyebrows pulled up in question.. |