the red acorn-第24章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


　and　the　hospitals　are　made　fitting　places　for　women　to　visit　and　dwell　in。〃

It　would　have　helped　her　much　if　she　could　have　known　that　the　Crimean　hospitals；　in　which　Florence　Nightingale　won　world…wide　fame；　lacked　immeasurably　of　the　conveniences　and　comforts　with　which　American　ingenuity　and　lavish　generosity　mitigated　somewhat　the　wretchedness　of　army　hospitals。

Lying　still　became　unendurable；　she　rose；　in　hopes　that　action　might　bring　some　sort　of　relief。　　Such　plain　toilet　was　made　as　the　very　limited　means　at　her　command　permitted。　　The　scant　privacy　afforded　by　her　room　was　another　torture。　　Maiden　modesty　suggested　a　Peeping　Tom　at　every　yawning　crack　in　the　planking。

At　least；　neatly　attired　in　a　serviceable　gray　frock；　with　a　dainty　white　collar　at　her　throat；　and　her　satiny　hair　brushed　smoothly　over　her　forehead；　she　opened　her　door　and　stepped　out　into　the　main　ward　room。

A　murmur　of　appreciation　arose　from　those　who　looked　upon　her；　and　the　sick　ceased　groaning；　to　feast　their　eyes　upon　the　fair；　fresh　apparition　of　sweet　young　womanhood。　　There　was　such　unmistakable　pleasure　written　on　every　face　that　for　a　moment　even　she　herself　became　a　little　conscious　that　her　presence　was　like　a　grateful　shower　upon　a　parched　and　weary　land。　　But　before　she　could　buoy　her　spirits　up　with　this　knowledge　they　sank　again　as　she　perceived　Dr。　Moxon　stalking　down　the　long　aisle；　with　ill…humor　expressed　in　every　motion　of　his　bulky　figure。　　He　was　frowning　deeply；　his　great　feet　fell　flatly　upon　the　creaking　planks；　as　if　he　were　crushing　something　at　every　step；　and　he　rated　the　occupants　of　the　cots　on　either　side　as　he　passed　along。

〃No。　4；〃　he　said　sharply　to　a　gaunt　boy；　whose　cheeks　were　burning　with　rising　fever；　〃you've　got　a　relapse。　　Serves　you　right　for　leaving　your　bed　yesterday。　　Now　don't　deny　it；　for　I　saw　you　outside　myself。　　I'll　send　the　Wardmaster　to　the　guard…house　for　that。〃

〃But；　Doctor；　it　wasn't　his　fault；〃　gasped　the　sick　man；　painfully。　〃I　begged　so　hard　to　go　out　that　he　couldn't　refuse　me。　　It　was　so　hot　in　here　and　smelled　so　badly；　that　I　felt　I　should　die　unless　I　got　a　breath　of　fresh　air。〃

〃Silence！〃　thundered　the　Surgeon；　〃I'll　have　no　talking　back　to　me。　Steward；　send　that　Wardmaster　to　the　guard…house　for　disobedience　of　orders。　　No。　7；　you　refused　to　take　your　medicine　yesterday。　Steward；　double　his　prescription；　and　if　he　shows　the　least　resistance　to　taking　it；　have　the　nurses　hold　him　and　force　it　down　his　throat。　Do　you　hear？　　There；　why　don't　you　hold　still？〃　　（This　to　a　man　who　was　having　a　large　blister　applied　to　his　back。）

〃It　hurts　so；〃　answered　the　sufferer。

〃Hurts；　eh？　　Well；　I'll　show　you　what　hurts　some　of　these　days；　when　I　cut　your　leg　off。　　Well；　what　do　you　want；　youngster？〃

A　slender；　white…faced　boy　was　standing　at　the　foot　of　his　cot；　at　〃attention；〃　and　saluting　respectfully。

〃If　you　please；〃　said　he；　〃I'd　like　to　be　discharged；　and　go　back　to　my　company。　　I'm　well　enough　now　to　do　duty；　and　I'll　be　entirely　well　in　a　short　time；　if　I　can　get　out　of　doors　into　the　fresh　air。〃

〃Indeed；〃　answered　Dr。　Moxon；　with　a　sneer；　〃may　I　inquire　when　you　began　to　diagnose　cases；　and　offer　advice　to　your　superior　officers？　　Why　don't　you　set　up　in　the　practice　of　medicine　at　once；　and　apply　for　a　commission　as　Surgeon　in　the　Army？　　Step　back；　an　don't　ever　speak　to　me　again　in　this　manner；　or　it'll　be　the　worse　for　you；　I　can　tell　you。　　I　know　when　you　are　fit　to　go　back　to　duty；　and　I　won't　have　patients　annoying　me　with　their　whims　and　fancies。　　Step　back；　sir。〃

Thus　he　passed　along；　leaving　anger　and　humiliation　behind　him；　as　a　steamer　leaves　a　wake　of　waves　beaten　into　a　froth。

〃Old　Sawbones　made　a　mistake　with　his　morning　cocktail；　and　mixed　a　lot　of　wormwood　with　it；〃　said　one　of　the　〃convalescents；〃　in　an　undertone　to　those　about　him。

〃This　awful　hot　weather's　spilin'　most　everything；〃　said　another；　〃and　the　old　man's　temper　never　was　any　too　sweet。〃

Dr。　Moxon　came　up　to　Rachel；　and　regarded　her　for　an　instant　very　unpleasantly。　　〃Young　woman；〃　he　said　in　a　harsh　tone　and　with　a　still　harsher　manner；　〃the　rules　of　this　institution　require　every　attendant　to　be　present　at　morning　roll…call；　under　pain　of　punishment。　　You　were　not　present　this　morning；　but　be　careful　that　you　are　in　the　future。〃

Rachel's　grief　over　her　own　situation　had　been　swallowed　up　by　indignation　at　the　Surgeon's　brutality　to　others。　　All　her　higher　instincts　were　on　fire　at　the　gratuitous　insults　to　boys；　toward　whom　her　womanly　sumpathies　streamed　out。　　The　pugnacious　element；　large　in　hers　as　in　all　strong　natures；　asserted　itself　and　invited　to　the　fray。　　If　there　was　no　one　else　to　resist　this　petty　tyrant　she　would；　and　mayhap　in　this　she　might　find　such　exercise　of　her　heroic　qualities　that　she　felt　were　within　her；　as　would　justify　herself　in　her　own　esteem。　　She　met　with　a　resolute　glance　his　peevish　eyes；　and　said；

〃When　the　rules　are　communicated　to　me　in　a　proper　manner；　I　shall　take　care　to　obey　them；　if　they　are　just　and　proper；　but　I　will　not　be　spoken　to　in　that　way　by　any　man。〃

His　eyes　fell　from　the　encounter　with　hers；　and　the　dull　mottle　in　his　cheek　became　crimson　with　a　blush　at　this　assertion　of　outraged　womanly　dignity。　　He　turned　away；　saying　gruffly：

〃Just　as　I　expected。　　The　moment　a　woman　comes　into　the　hospital；　all　discipline　is　at　an　end。〃

He　moved　off　angrily。　　All　the　inmates　saw　and　overheard。　　If　Rachel's　refreshing　beauty　had　captivated　them　before；　her　dauntless　spirit　completed　the　conquest。

A　cheery　voice　behind　her　said；　〃Good　morning。〃　　There　was　something　so　winning　in　its　tones　that　the　set　lines　in　her　indignant　face　relaxed；　and　she　turned　softened　eyes　to　meet　the　frankly　genial　ones　of　Dr。　Paul　Denslow。

〃Good　morning；　Miss…；〃　he　repeated；　as　she　hesitated；　a　little　dazed。

〃BondRachel　Bond's　my　name。　　Good　morning；　sir；〃　she　answered；　putting　out　her　hand。

As　he　took　it；　he　said：　　〃I　want　to　make　an　abject　apology。　　We　are　ill…prepared　to　entertain　a　lady　here；　and　no　one　knew　of　your　coming。　　But　we　certainly　intend　to　mitigate　in　some　degree　the　desolation　of　the　room　to　which　you　were　conducted。　　I　left　you　for　the　purpose　of　seeing　what　the　store…room　contained　that　would　contribute　a　trifle　toward　transforming　it　into　a　maiden's　bower〃

〃Cinderella's　fairy　godmother　couldn't　have　made　the　transformation　with　that　room；〃　she　said　with　a　little　shrug　of　despair。

〃Probably　notprobably　notand　I　lay　no　claim　to　even　the　least　of　the　powers　exercised　by　the　old　lady　with　the　wand。　　But　I　allow　no　man　to　surpass　me　in　the　matter　of　good　intentions。　　That　is　a　luxury　of　which　the　poorest　of　us　can　afford　an　abundance；　and　I　will　not　deny　myself　anything　that　is　so　cheap。〃

Rachel　was　beguiled　into　smiling　at　his　merry　cynicism。

〃Allusions　to　the　pavement　in　the　unmentionable　place　are　barred　in　this　connection；〃　he　continued　gayly。　　〃On　my　way　to　carry　out　these　good　intentionsat　some　one　else's　expense；　remember；　all　the　timeI　was　called　to　the　bedside　of　a　dying　man；　and　detained　there　some　time。　　When　I　at　last　returned　to　your　room；　I　judged　that　you　were　fast　asleep；　and　I　decided　not　to　disturb　you。〃

〃I　think　you　would　have　found　it　a　difficult　matter　to　have　roused　me。　　I　had　sunk　on　the　cot；　and　was　sleeping　the　sleep　of〃

〃The　just；〃　interposed　Dr。　Denslow；　gallantly。

〃No；　of　the　fatigued。〃

〃Well；　scientific　truth　compels　me　to　say　that　fatigue　is　a　surer　and　stronger　sedative　than　a　clear　conscience　even。　　I　know；　for　I　have　occasionally　tried　a　clear　conscienceonly　by　way　of　experiment；　you　know；〃　he　added；　apologetically。

〃Well；　whatever　the　case；　I　was　slepping　as　though　on　downy　beds　of　ease。〃

〃Then　my　mind　is　lightened　of　a　mountain…load　of　responsibility　for　having　made　you　pass　a　miserable　night。　　But　let's　go　in　to　breakfast。　　I　am　opposed　to　doing　anything　on　an　empty　stomacheven　to　holding　a　pleasant　conversation。　　It　invites　malaria；　and　malaria　brings　a　number　of　disagreeable　sensations　which　people　mistake　for　repentance；　remorse；　religious　awakening；　and　so　on；　according　to　their　mental　idiosyncrasies；　and　the　state　of　their　digestion。〃

The　breakfast　did　not　help　remove　the　unpleasant　impressions　already　made　upon　her　mind。　　The　cloth　that　covered　the　coarse　planks　of　the　table　was　unmistakably　a　well…worn　sheet。　　Tin　cups　and　platters　made　humble　substitution　for　china；　and　were　appropriately　accompanied　by　cast…iron　knives　and　two　tined　forks。

Two　Hospital　Stewardsdenoted　by　the　green　bands；　embroidered　with　CADUCEI；　around　their　armsand　the　same　number　of　Wardmasters；　formed　the　mess　which　sat　down　with　Dr。　Denslow　and　Rachel；　on　benches　around　the　table。

What　bouyant　cheerfulness　could　do　to　raise　Rachel's　spirits　and　give　an　appetizing　flavor　to　the　coarse　viands；　Dr。　Denslow　did。

〃I　apprehend；〃　said　he；　〃that　you　will　suspect　that　in　obtaining　this　steak　the　indefatigable　cook　made　a　mistake；　and　sliced　a　piece　from　a　side　of　sole　leather　hanging　near。　　This　was　not　the　case。　　It　was　selected　with　a　deep　physiological　design。　　Meat　of　this　character　consists　almost　wholly　of　fibrine；　the　least　heat…producing　constituent　of　flesh。　　By　excluding　all　fats　and　other　tender　portions；　and　confining　ourselves　to　fibrine；　we　are　the　better　able　to　stand　this　torrid　weather。〃

One　of　the　Hospital　Stewards　groaned　deeply。

〃What　is　the　matter；　'Squills'？〃　said　the　Doctor；　kindly。

〃I　was　thinking　of　the　monstrous　fibber…in　here；〃　said　〃Squills；〃　lugubriously。

〃'Squills；'　I　don't　know　how　I　can　properly　punish　the　disrespect　shown　our　young　lady　guest　and　your　superior　officer；　by　that　vile　pun　and　the　viler　implication　contained　in　it。〃

〃This　sugar；〃　continued　the　Doctor；　lifting　some　out　of　an　old　tomato　can　with　a　large　iron　spoon；　and　tendering　it　to　Rachel　for　her　coffee；　〃has　a　rich　golden　color；　which　is　totally　absent　from　the　paler　varieties　to　which　you　are　accustomed。　　Its　deeper　hue　comes　from　having　caught　more　of　the　Cuban　yellow　sun's　rays。〃

〃Yes；〃　interjected　〃Squills；〃　〃all　the　Cuban's　yellow　sons　raise。　Their　daughters；　too；　are　sometimes　almost　brown。〃

Dr。　Denslow　frowned。

〃What　a　queer　odor　it　has；〃　said　Rachel；　sniffing　it；　and　staying　the　spool　just　over　her　cup。

〃Has　it？〃　said　the　Doctor；　sniffing　too。　　〃O；　that's　nothing。　That's　only　chloroform。　　The　ants　were　very　bad；　and　we　put　some　in　to　kill　them　off。〃

〃I　don't　believe　I'll　take　any　in　my　coffee；　thank　you；〃　said　Rachel；　calmly。　　〃There　are　times　when　I　don't　like　it　sweetened。〃

〃But　you'll　certainly　take　cream；　then；〃　he　said；　breaking　off　the　cover　of　a　can　of　condensed　milk。　　〃Here　is　some　put　in　the　reverse　of　the　homeopathic　plan。　　Instead　of　being　the　30th　dilution；　it　is　about　the　30th　concentration。　　With　this　little　can；　and　his　pump　in　good　order；　a　milkman　could　supply　a　good　big　route　with　'pure　grass…fed　milk。'　　Within　these　narrow　walls　are　compressed　the　nutritive　juices　of　an　acre　of　fragrant　white　clover。〃

〃The　Doctor　was　formerly　a　lecturer　in　a　medical　college；〃　said　〃Squills〃　〃sotto　voce〃　to　Rachel。

Rachel's　appetite　had　seemed　sufficient　for　almost　any　food；　but　she　confined　her　breakfast　to　two　or　three　crackers　o