An Unexpected Gathering.
Generally their only idea of kindness was giving sick men what food they would take in any quantity and of every quality, and in the furtherance of their views they were pugnacious in the extreme. Whenever rules circumscribed their plans they abused the government, then the hospital and then myself. Many ludicrous incidents happened daily, and I have often laughed heartily at seeing the harassed ward-master heading away a pertinacious female who failing to get past him at one door would try the three others perseveringly. They seemed to think it a pious and patriotic duty not to be afraid or ashamed under any circumstances. One sultry day I found a whole family accompanied by two young lady friends seated around a wounded man’s bed; as I passed through six hours later, they held the same position.
Counterchecks.
“Had not you all better go home?” I said good-naturedly.
“We came to see my cousin,” answered one very crossly. “He is wounded.”
“But you have been with him all morning, and that is a restraint upon the other men. Come again to-morrow.”
A consultation was held, but when it ceased no movement was made, the older ones only lighting their pipes and smoking in silence.
“Will you come back to-morrow, and go now?”
“No! You come into the wards when you please, and so will we!”
“But it is my duty to do so. Besides, I always ask permission to enter, and never stay longer than fifteen minutes at a time.”