When he got closer, he saw that she was holding on to the tall medical scales standing beside the sofa with one hand
“What are you doing sitting here?” Alik asked angrily when she opened her eyes at the sound of his footsteps.
“I’m on duty,” his mother said, straightening up and assuming a wide-awake, businesslike air.
“Why? Are you a doctor, then? Or a nurse? Or an orderly? Once you’ve done your job — cleaned up and wiped the floors — you should come home.”
His mother didn’t even bother to answer, she just gave him a pitying look, as if he was unwell, flapped her hand at him and stood up.
“Where are you going?” he asked, changing his tone of voice.
“I’ve got a woman who’s just had an operation. I have to check her condition,” she said, and straightened the white coat thrown across h
