A City of Tramps
As the Daily Mail resumes publication Wells recovers sufficiently to bid farewell to London, but before he leaves he ventures out one more time to observe the return of its inhabitants.
And for Toni, released from the massive responsibility of operating the only functioning ‘hospital’ in London, her mind can turn to other things – like what to do now, and what the future might look like.
#Patients are now being transported to #London’s reopened #hospitals. I feel…#strange…#WasHelping #WantToHelp
@LizCadbury says we are still helping. @GraceHarwoodStewart and I will head into the streets as #QueenAnnesMansions empties. Our #nurses are travelling with our #patients, but our #oldies are keen to help.
Despite the family’s attempts to dissuade Wells from travelling to Leatherhead, Wells decides to look once more on whatever remained of the little life that seemed so happy and bright in his past. Though he promises to stay with them that night.
Wells returns to the streets that had lately been so dark and strange and empty, but are now already busy with returning people; in places there were even shops open, and he pauses to gaze at a drinking-fountain running water.
The streets around Wells are busy and vivid the moving life. So many people were abroad everywhere, busied in a thousand activities, that it seemed incredible that any great proportion of the population could have been slain.
But then he notices the yellow skins of the people he met, how shaggy the hair of the men, how large and bright their eyes, and that every other man still wore his dirty rags. The faces seemed all with one of two expressions—a leaping exultation and energy or a grim resolution.
Save for the expression of the faces, London seems a city of tramps. The vestries are indiscriminately distributing bread sent by the French government. The ribs of the few horses show dismally, while haggard special constables with white badges stand at every corner.
Ventured out into the streets with @GraceHarwoodStewart. @LizCadbury was correct. Many people needed #help. #IAmStillHelping #determination #IAmUseful
Thinking about returning to my studies now. @graceharwoodstewart is nearly qualified. I have a way to go. But #iwillbeadoctor #ihavebeenadoctor when there was no-one else.
Missing @HGWellsBro #sadness #WillItStillBeTheSame?