"Yes, ma'am; we've made a hospital of this; the Captain's got the
best room in it, and now he's got the best miss that's goin'
anywheres. Won't you have a drop of something jest as a stand-by
before you see him?"
"Nothing; take me to him at once."
"Here we be then. Still sleepin': that looks well."
Mr. Wilkins softly led the way down a long hall, opened a door, and
after one look fell back and saluted as the Captain's wife passed
in.
A surgeon was bending over the low bed, and when a hoarse voice at
his elbow asked:
"How is he?" The doctor answered without looking up:
"Done for: this shot through the lungs will finish him before
morning I'm afraid."
"Then leave him to me: I am his wife," said the voice, clear and
sharp now with the anguish those hard words had brought.
"Good God, why did no one tell me! My dear lady, I thought you were
a nurse!" cried the poor surgeon rent with remorse for what now
seemed the brutal frankness of his answer, as he saw the white face
of the woman at his side, with a look in her eyes harder to see than
the bitterest tears that ever fell.
"I am a nurse. If you can do nothing, please go and leave him to me
the little while he has to live.
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