“Oh!” said Erminie.
And then as time was too precious to be spent in talking, she took up the large basket of oranges she had brought, and bowing adieu to this “mistress of the robes,” she passed down the corridor, attended by Elfie, and followed by Bob, who had been back to the carriage, and had returned with a large basket of jellies and fruits.
“I visited one-half the wards this morning, and I must look into the others this afternoon,” said Erminie, as she turned to the right and opened a door leading into a long room, furnished with a double row of little white beds, on most of which lay wounded men.
Smiles of glad welcome greeted this young angel visitant as soon as she appeared.
“Here, Elfie. You take this basket of oranges, dear, and go down one row of beds while I go down the other. And give each man one. Sister Frances says that the men in this ward may all eat fruit,” said Erminie.
Elfie took the basket of oranges, and went down the row of beds as she was bid, pausing at each to speak a kind and cheering word, and to give an orange.
At length she reached the very last little bed in the corner, and without looking at its occupant, she said:
“Well, you are the last, but you will not be the worst served, soldier. Here is the very finest orange in the whole lot. Just as if I had saved it on purpose for you. I hope it will refresh you. And—I hope you are not badly wounded.”
“Elfie!” in a feeble voice exclaimed the wounded man.
“Great Heaven!” cried the girl, starting, and nearly dropping her basket of oranges.