One fine day at St. Philomena's.

Today was our first day at St. Philomena's. Miss Rose and I got off to a good start when we found a poor ailing banana who wasn't peeling well, right there in the doctors' changing room. There was a nice bed in the room, but the poor banana had been left on a hard wooden table, so after we gave him the once-over with my stethoscope, we tucked him in and left him to rest.

First stop was the neo-natal ward, where the little preemies got their first taste (well sound) of French lullabies. And then onward and upward to the pediatric wards.

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On the way Miss Rose came upon a bunch of gloves just hanging around listlessly. Three whole rows of them. Realising that these poor flaccid souls were in urgent need of medical attention, she gave them some bubbles, while I taught them some finger exercises. I wasn't sure if they were girl gloves or boy gloves.

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"Didn't you see?" said Miss Rose, wiggling her thumb. "Boys!"

On the way to the wards, Mrs. Rose stopped for an impromptu magic show. Meanwhile Dr Mamu's driver Kishore showed up so I hurried him off to the changing room so that he could deliver Mamu to us asap. Once Mamu showed up, we had lots of fun, surrounded by many giggly children, and one little boy who was actually guffawing with laughter. I didn't know little children could guffaw: I've seen them giggle, chortle and laugh; this was my first guffaw.

There was one tense moment when I was feeling a bit peakish and Miss Rose got out her humongous rectal thermometer. But it passed quickly and painlessly. All in all, you could say it went smoothly.

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And then it was back to the changing room for one last check on Mr. Banana, who was looking quite rested after his peaceful nap in the doctors' bed. He's sure to have been peeling well by the afternoon.