Our get-togethers were especially successful when Rita was on night duty. After bedtime, everyone capable of walking would secretly troop to the staff physician's office for a fun time, jokes and a laugh. Those whose operation was still to come would greedily listen to us veterans. But they preferred not to remember those who had been refused an operation, so as not to darken the mood.
Not only was Mary refused an operation, but also Lena and Valentina. Lena, for example, immediately discharged herself, and went home with a light heart. Perhaps she was even glad it had turned out that way. She was getting married, there were pre-wedding arrangements to be made, the girl was confident nothing could get in the way of her happiness. I even got the impression her crooked front teeth gave Lena
