Let us do it as quickly as we can; but here comes one of our wardmasters. “Well, Henry, what do you want?”
“Twelve wounded men, ma’am, just come in; the ambulances we were looking for have just got here, and we want a change of clothing for each of them.”
“Yes, you shall have them at once, but stand out of Green’s way; look what he and William are carrying.”
“Green, where did those come from?” Two large boxes of oranges and one of lemons.
“Dr. —— says, miss, these have just been sent, and he would like to have them picked over, as they’re spoiling so fast.”
“Well, try and find a place for them on the floor, and tell Arnold to come here in a few minutes, and help us to do it.”
You may wonder that we do not leave such work entirely to the men, but they understand “picking them over” in the sense of “picking and stealing;” and I am afraid that unless we assisted there would be few left for the sick when the work was done. The men are always ready and glad to help us in anything that we allow them to do; indeed, I have often been surprised at the promptness with which they offer their services to spare us in every way; to carry and empty water for us, to run our errands, to watch our fire; in short, to render any little service which is most needed at the moment, and which we should naturally do for ourselves, unless the offer were made.
Enter a group of women—I humbly beg their pardon—ladies, I should have said. Ah! I know too well their errand before they speak. Persons have been coming all the week for the same purpose.
“Can we see the rebel? Please to show us the ward where the rebel is confined?”