"Surprise!!!" The greeters said silently but with elation. "Happy Birthday, Marie!" They proceeded singing.

"That's the most silent surprise I ever had." Marie teased them after the song ended. "You don't want the doctors and the nurses to know it's my birthday, don't you?"

They all laughed.

"Marie dear, Happy Birthday. The doctor is here," her mother announced.

"Don't worry, Marie. You'll be out tomorrow afternoon. You only needed some rest. Also, I've instructed your friends and relatives not to shock you with that surprise." The doctor patted her head and gave her a gift.

"Don't tell me Doctor, I know . . .," she said, short of thanking him.