The clinic gate stood open, but the chairs outside it were all occupied.
A woman at a narrow table looked at my paper and pointed me along the garden path.
"The preliminary check is under the awning. Keep the main doors clear, please."
I had stopped in front of them. I moved, settling the satchel on my left shoulder. I had brought it for the form and the water flask, leaving the notebook and examination pages in my room.
The outer garden had low beds of plants with labels turned toward the path. Two chairs had been set on boards to keep their legs out of the soil; beyond them, an awning covered a table and a basin. Someone had tied back one corner of the canvas because it kept knocking against the leaves of a small tree.
A boy was arguing beside the table. One boot lay in his lap.
"I can get it on."
"I believe you," said the girl kneeling in front of him. "I'm asking how you'll get it off again."
