the red acorn-第30章

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　wounds　that　by　all　rules　ought　to　prove　fatal。〃

〃There　is　certainly　a　good　deal　in　that；　but　what　irritates　me　now　is　a　display　of　querulous　tyranny。〃

〃Well；　you　know　what　Dr。　Johnson　says：　　'That　a　sick　man　is　a　scoundrel。'　　There　is　a　basis　of　truth　in　that　apparent　cruelty。　It　is　true　that　'scoundrel'　is　rather　a　harsh　term　to　apply　to　a　man　whose　moral　obliquities　have　not　received　the　official　stamp　in　open　court　by　a　jury　of　his　peers。　　The　man　whose　imprudences　and　self…indulgences　have　made　his　liver　slothful；　his　stomach　rebellious；　and　wrecked　his　constitution　in　other　ways；　mayprobably　doesbecome　an　exasperating　little　tyrant；　full　of　all　manner　of　petty　selfishness；　which　saps　the　comfort　of　others；　as　acid　vapors　corrode　metals；　but　does　that　make　him　a　'scoundrel？'　　Opinions　vary。　　His　much　enduring　feminine　relatives　would　probably　resent　such　a　query　with　tearful　indignation；　while　unprejudiced　outsiders　would　probably　reply　calmly　in　the　affirmative。〃

〃What　is　the　medical　man's　view？〃　asked　Rachel；　much　amused　by　this　cool　scrutiny　of　what　people　are　too　often　inclined　to　regard　as　among　the　〃inscrutable　providences。〃

〃I　don't　speak　in　anything　for　the　profession　at　large；　but　my　own　private　judgement　is　that　any　man　is　a　scoundrel　who　robs　others　of　anything　that　is　of　value　to　them；　and　he　is　none　the　less　so　when　he　makes　his　aches　and　pains；　mostly　incurred　by　his　gluttony；　passions　or　laziness；　the　means　of　plundering　others　of　the　comforts　and　pleasures　which　are　their　due。〃

Going　into　the　wards　one　morning；　Rachel　found　that　Lieutenant　Jacob　Alspaugh　had　been　brought　in；　suffering　from　what　the　Surgeon　pronounced　to　be　〃febrile　symptoms　of　a　mild　type；　from　which　he　will　no　doubt　recover　in　a　few　days；　with　rest；　quiet　and　proper　food。

It　is　possibly　worth　while　to　note　the　coincidence　that　these　symptoms　developed　with　unexpected　suddenness　in　the　midst　of　earnest　preparations　by　the　Army　of　the　Cumberland；　for　a　terrible　grapple　at　Perryville　with　the　Rebel　Army　of　the　Tennessee。

Alspaugh　recognized　Rachel　at　once；　much　to　her　embarrassment；　for　her　pride　winced　at　playing　the　role　of　nurse　before　an　acquaintance；　especially　when　that　acquaintance　was　her　father's　hired…man；　whom　she　knew　too　well　to　esteem　highly。

〃O；　Miss　Rachel；〃　he　groaned；　as　she　came　to　his　cot　in　response　to　his　earnest　call；　〃I'm　so　glad　to　see　you；　for　I'm　the　sickest　man　that　ever　came　into　this　hospital。　　Nothin'　but　the　best　o'　care　'll　carry　me　through；　and　I　know　you'll　give　it　to　me　for　the　sake　of　old　times；〃　and　Jacob's　face　expressed　to　his　comrades　the　idea　that　there　had　been　a　time　when　his　relations　with　her　had　been　exceedingly　tender。

Rachel's　face　flushed　at　the　impudent　assumption；　but　she　overcame　the　temptation　to　make　a　snubbing　answer；　and　replied　quietly：

〃No；　Jacob；　you　are　not　so　sick　as　you　think　you　are。〃　　（〃She　calls　him　'Jacob；'〃　audibly　commented　some　of　those　near；　as　if　this　was　a　confirmation　of　Jakes　insinuation。）　　〃The　Surgeons　say；〃　she　continued；　〃that　your　symptoms　are　not　at　all　bad；　and　that　you'll　be　up　again　in　a　few　days。〃

〃O；　them　Doctors　always　talk　that　way。　　They're　the　flintiest…hearted　set　I　ever　see　in　all　my　born　days。　　They're　always　pretending　that　they　don't　believe　there　is　nothin'　the　matter　with　a　feller。　　I　really　believe　they'd　a　little　liefer　a　man'd　die　than　not。　　They　don't　seem　to　take　no　sort　of　interest　in　savin'　the　soldiers　that　the　country　needs　so　badly。〃

Rachel　felt　as　if　it　would　sweeten　much　hard　service　if　she　could　tell　Alspaugh　outright　her　opinion　that　he　was　acting　very　calfishly；　but　other　counsels　prevailed；　and　she　said　encouragingly：

〃You　are　only　discouraged；　Jacobthat's　all。　　A　few　days　rest　here　will　restore　both　your　health　and　your　spirits。〃

〃No；　I'm　not　discouraged。　　I'm　not　the　kind　to　git　down　in　the　mouthyou　know　me　well　enough　for　that。　　I'm　sick；　sick　I　tell　yousicker'n　any　other　man　in　this　hospital；　an'　nothin'　but　the　best　o'　nursin'　'll　save　my　life　for　the　country。　　O；　how　I　wish　I　was　at　home　with　my　mother；　she'd　take　care　o'　me。〃

Rachel　could　not　repress　a　smile　at　the　rememberance　of　Jake's　termagant　mother　nad　her　dirty；　comfortless　cottage；　an　how　her　intemperance　in　administering　such　castisement　as　conveyed　most　grief　to　a　boy's　nature　first　drove　Jake　to　seek　refuge　with　her　father。

〃No　doubt　it　would　be　very　comfortable；〃　she　answered；　〃if　you　could　get　home　to　your　mother；　but　there's　no　need　of　it；　because　you'll　be　well　before　you　could　possibly　reach　there。〃

〃No；　I'll　never　be　well；〃　persisted　Jake；　〃unless　I　have　the　best　o'　care；　but　I　feel　much　better　now；　since　I　find　you　here；　for　I'm　sure　you'll　take　as　much　interest　in　me　as　a　sister　would。〃

She　shuddered　a　little　at　the　prospect　of　even　temporary　sisterly　relations　to　the　fellow；　but　replied　guardedly：

〃Of　course　I'll　do　what　I　can　for　you；　Jacob；〃　and　started　to　move　away；　but　he　caught　her　dress　and　whimpered：

〃O；　don't　go；　Miss　Rachel；　do　go　and　leave　me　all　alone。　　Stay　any　way　till　I'm　fixed　somehow　comfortable。〃

〃I　half　believe　the　booby　will　have　hysterics；〃　thought　Rachel；　with　curling　lip。　　〃Is　this　the　man　they　praised　so　for　his　heroism？　Does　all　his　manhood　depend　upon　his　health？　　Now　he　hasn't　the　spirit　of　a　sick　kitten。〃　　Dreading　a　scene；　however；　she　took　her　seat　at　the　head　of　the　cot；　and　gave　some　directions　for　its　arrangement。

Jake's　symptoms　grew　worse　rapidly；　for　he　bent　all　his　crafty　energies　to　that　end。　　Refuge　in　the　hospital　from　the　unpleasant　contingencies　attending　duty　in　the　field　was　a　good　thing；　and　it　became　superexcellent　when　his　condition　made　him　the　object　of　the　care　and　sympathy　of　so　fine　a　young　lady　as　Miss　Rachel　Bond。　This　he　felt　was　something　like　compensation　for　all　that　he　had　endured　for　the　country；　and　he　would　get　as　much　of　it　as　possible。　His　mind　busied　itself　in　recalling　and　imitating　the　signs　of　suffering　he　had　seen　in　others。

He　breathed　stretorously；　groaned　and　sighed　immoderately；　and　even　had　little　fits　of　well…feigned　delirium；　in　which　he　babbled　of　home　and　friends　and　the　war；　and　such　other　things　as　had　come　within　the　limited　scope　of　his　mental　horizon。

〃Don't　leave　me；　Miss　Racheldon't　leave　me；〃　he　said；　in　one　of　these　simulated　paroxysms；　clutching　at　the　same　time；　with　a　movement　singularly　well　directed　for　a　delirious　man；　one　of　her　delicate　hands　in　his　great；　coarse；　and　not…over…clean　fingers。　Had　it　been　the　hand　of　a　dying　man；　or　of　one　in　a　raging　fever；　that　imprisoned　hers；　Rachel　would　not　have　felt　the　repulsion　that　she　did　at　a　touch　which　betrayed　to　her　only　too　well　that　the　toucher's　illness　was　counterfeited。　　She　could　hardly　restrain　the　impulse　to　dash　away　the　loathsome　hand；　as　she　would　a　toad　that　had　fallen　upon　her；　but　she　swiftly　remembered；　as　she　had　in　hundreds　of　other　instances　since　she　had　been　in　the　hospital；　that　she　was　no　longer　in　her　own　parlor；　but　in　a　public　place；　with　scores　of　eyes　noting　every　movement；　and　that　such　an　act　of　just　disdain　would　probably　be　misunderstood；　and　possibly　be　ruinous　to　a　belief　in　her　genuine　sympathy　with　the　misfortunes　of　the　sick　which　she　had　labored　so　heroically　to　build　up。

She　strove　to　release　her　fingers　quietly；　but　at　this　Alspaugh's　paroxysm　became　intense。　　He　clung　the　tighter　to　her；　and　kneaded　her　fingers　in　a　way　that　was　almost　maddening。　　Never　in　all　her　life　had　a　man　presumed　to　take　such　a　familiarity　with　her。　　But　her　woman's　wit　did　not　desert　her。　　With　her　disengaged　hand　she　felt　for　and　took　out　a　large　pin　that　fastened　a　bit　of　lace　to　her　throat；　with　the　desperate　intent　to　give　her　tormentor　a　sly　stab　that　would　change　the　current　of　his　thoughts。

But　at　the　moment　of　carrying　this　into　effect　something　caused　her　to　look　up；　and　she　saw　Dr。　Denslow　standing　before　her；　with　an　amused　look　in　his　kindly；　hazel　eyes。

She　desisted　from　her　purpose　and　restored　the　pin　to　its　place　in　obedience　to　a　sign　from　him；　which　told　her　that　he　thoroughly　understood　the　case；　and　had　a　more　effective　way　of　dealing　with　it　than　the　thrust　of　a　pin　point。

〃I'm　very　much　afraid　that　this　is　a　dangerous　case　we　have　here；　Miss　Bond；〃　he　said　in　a　stage　whisper；　as　if　very　anxious　that　the　patient　should　not　overhear。　　〃Yes；　a　very　dangerous　case。〃

Jake　grew　pale；　released　Rachel's　hand；　turned　over　on　his　side　and　groaned。

〃Do　you　really　think　so；　Doctor？〃　said　Rachel　in　the　same　tone。

〃Yes；　really。　　It's　as　clear　a　case　of　de　gustibus　non　disputandum　as　I　ever　saw　in　my　life。〃

〃O；　Lordie；　hev　I　got　all　of　that？〃　asked　Jake；　as　he　sat　bolt　upright；　with　eyes　starting。

〃It　is　my　unpleasant　duty　to　tell　you　that　you　certainly　have；〃　said　the　Doctor；　gravely。　　〃As　plainly　indicated　as　I　ever　saw　it。　Furthermore；　it　is　seriously　complicated　with　fiat　justitia　ruat　caelum；　with　strong　hints　of　the　presence　of　in　media　tutissimus　ibis。〃

〃Great　Scott！　can　I　ever　get　well？〃　groaned　poor　Jake。　　Rachel's　strain　was　on　her　risibles；　and　to　make　her　face　express　only　sympathy　and　concern。

〃And；〃　continued　the　remorseless　Surgeon；　in　a　tone　of　the　kindliest　commiseration；　〃in　the　absence　of　the　least　espirt　de　corps；　and　dulce　et　decorum　est　pro　patria　mori　feeling　in　you　it　is　apparent　that　none　of　your　mental　processes　are　going　on　properly；　which　deranges　everything。〃

〃Can't　I　be　sent　home　to　die？〃　whimpered　the　wretched　Jake。

〃Not　in　your　present　condition。　　I　notice；　in　addition　to　what　I　have　told　you；　that　your　heart　is　not　rightits　action　is　depraved；　so　to　speak。〃　　This　with　a　glance　at　Rachel；　which　brought　the　crimson　to　that　damsel's　cheek。

〃O；　Doctor；　please　try　to　do　something　for　me　right　off；　before　I　get　any　worse；〃　pleaded　Jake；　with　the　tears　starting　in　his　eyes。

Rachel　took　this　opportunity　to　slip　away　to　where　she　could　laugh　unobserved。　　The　Surgeon's　facial　muscles　were　too　well　trained　to　feel　any　strain。　　he　continued　in　the　same　tone　of　gentle　consideration：

〃I　have　already　ordered　the　preparation　of　some　remedies。　　The　Steward　will　be　here　in　a　few　minues　with　the　barber；　who　will　shave　your　head；　that　we　may　apply　a　couple　of　fly…bisters　behind　your　ears。　They　are　also　spreading　a　big　mustard…plaster　in　th　dispensary　for　you；　which　will　cover　your　whole　breast　and　stomach。　　These；　with　a　strong　dose　of　castor…oil；　may　bring　you　around　so　that　you　will　be　able　to　go　back　to　duty　in　a　short　time。〃

Jake　did　not　notice　the　unsheathed　sarcasm　in　the　Surgeon's　allusion　to　returning　to　duty。　　He　was　too　delighted　with　the　chance　of　escaping　all　the　horrors　enumerated　to　think　of　aught　else；　and　he　even　forgot　to　beg　for　Rachel　to　come　and　sit　beside　his　bedside；　as　he　had　intended　doing；　until　the　blisters　began　to　remind　him　that　they　stuck　closer　than　a　brother。　　After　that　he　devoted　his　entire　attention　to　them；　as　a　man　is　apt　to。

A　good…sized　blister；　made　according　to　the　United　States　Pharmacopoeia；　has　few　equals　as　a　means　of　concentrating　the　attention。　　When　it　takes　a　fair　hold　of　its　work　it　leaves　the　gentleman　whom　it　patronizes　little　opportunity　to　think　of　anything　else　than　it　and　what　it　is　doing。　　Everything　else　is　forgotten；　t