When the Arrow Flies

“I’d do everything to get her to a hospital, but that’s impossible.” “Sometimes a plane has landed in the clearing. But how could we get one?” “If Eduardo would hike as far as Ranchario, there’s a truck leaving there on Thursday for Cuiaba. He could tell the men in the truck to take a message and have a plane sent.” “People will think we’re odd to do this for just a poor child of the interior. But I just can’t be sure we’re giving the right treatment. Let’s send Eduardo for the plane and have her taken to the hospital.” During the following days, some sheets were cut up to make nighties and underclothing. Everything was ready. But the days passed and no plane came. Every minute their ears strained for the sound of a motor. The worst was Sunday morning. The bandages were getting dirty and had been on for days. “Let’s send one of the boys to lead Sunday School today, Betty. I feel we’ll have to try and change the bandages. They are sticking so badly.” Patiently the women worked. “Pour some more solution here, Millie. Oh, I’m afraid all the flesh is going to come away, too.” Lila sat weeping as the child moaned at each effort to loosen the bandages. “Oh, it won’t come off the face. It’s terrible. Everything is stuck together.”

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