“Yes.”
She finished unpacking her stores rather hurriedly, and expressed her readiness to go round the cots with me.
“Are you not too tired after your journey?”
“No, I—I should like to begin at once. Please let me.”
I took her round, and altogether I was pleased with her.
In a day or two I almost became resigned to her presence, though I hate having women anywhere near the action. It is always better to get the nasty cases cleaned up before the women see them.
Then suddenly came bad news. There was something wrong at the front. Our fellows were falling back upon us. A final stand was to be made at our position until reinforcements came up.
I sent for Nurse Fielding, and told her to get ready to leave for headquarters at once. I was extremely business-like and formal. She was neither. That is the worst of women.
“Please let me stay,” she said. “Please.”
I shook my head.