“Yes, I assure you it is too true. Is it not, Steele?”
“So I was told.”
“Oh, I hear Miss Nightingale is soon going back.”
“Yes, as soon as she is sufficiently strong to bear the voyage.”
Lord Raglan then left the room. Never was there a man at all times more composed and collected than he was; and he always had a kind word and smile for those around him, even at the most critical times.
Several days had by this time elapsed since the departure of the expedition for Kertch, and no news of its movements had been received. The harbour looked very dull. Not knowing how to spend my evening, I went with a friend to Kadikoi, and dined there. Whilst at table, an officer who knew me, and who was reading the last number of the Illustrated London News, addressed me with a “Hallo, Monsieur Soyer, they have got you in the Illustrated this week.”
“Have they?” said I. “Oh, I see—it is the last letter I sent from Scutari.”
“Yes, it is,” he replied.
“About the opening of my kitchen? Yes, and here is the sketch. I did not notice that before.”
He then passed the paper to me. On perusing the letter, I perceived that the printer had made a slight mistake, and one of vital importance to me, as it operated to the detriment of the purveyor-in-chief at Scutari, as well as to the authorities. The blunder was as follows. In one passage of my letter I made special remarks upon the inferior quality of the provisions to be obtained at Constantinople. They had inserted the inferior quality of provisions purchased at Constantinople. I hardly knew how to rectify such a serious mistake, so I at once resolved to go and explain the matter to Lord Raglan, before he could hear from any other quarter, of what he might suppose to be my ill-feeling towards a party from whom I had previously informed his lordship I had received the greatest assistance and kindness. I immediately returned to the Baraguay d’Hilliers, and found Peter Morrison on board. I showed him the paper; and he at once approved of my resolve, and offered to accompany me to head-quarters.