The Disease

Is it Catching?

The disease isn’t contagious. There’s nothing to worry about, except for the prejudices still deeply held by a lot of the public.

What happened to your arm?

It was an accident.

What kind of accident? (I couldn’t for the life of me imagine the accident that had taken his limb, though I’m sure there was an explanation…)

It was a hunting accident. When I was a child.

I was just wondering because, when I came in, Sister Carmichael — I believe her name was —

Yes.

— had what at first I thought was a clubfoot. But actually, as I was filling out the paperwork, I was studying her — I couldn’t help it — and it appears that she’s missing the entire bottom half of her right leg.

Yes.

How did that happen… to her?

Sister Carmichael is from Ireland. When she was younger, she worked on a farm. I believe they raised sheep, had a few milk cows, and also grew barley. I understand it was somewhat of a large enterprise.

Oh…

So…

And what happened to her?

Oh, she lost it while harvesting turf.