Summary

Bridie reads a war poster outside the ward which blames those who died of the grippe for not resting to avoid death. Julia mocks it and asks Bridie if she would also like to sleep in the nurse dorms. She agrees but they find the dormitory has been converted to a ward.

Julia suggests they go to the roof for air. They sit wrapped in the blankets and look at the stars. Julia tells Bridie the origins of influenza. She shows Bridie her watch and its markings.

They discuss Honor’s baby, and Mary. Bridie says Mary’s husband beats her, she can tell by her bruises. Julia feels naïve for not realizing earlier.

Julia asks Bridie to tell her about the orphanage. She tells her that the girls always smelled of urine, as they did not waste laundry by washing...