It took all the will power she had to keep on her job that day, for she hadn’t realized how fever could sap one’s vitality. When she started back to her quarters in the late afternoon she stopped off to tell Major Reed what Vernon had said. As she talked an odd expression came into his face. She feared he had lost interest and would not push the searching expedition.
“I’m afraid Vernon Goodwin won’t be well enough to go with any searching party before we have to leave here.” Major Reed finally revealed what was on his mind.
Nancy’s pale face grew more wan. “Oh, Major Reed!”
“Our job here is almost finished. Planes can clear out the patients faster and faster now that Koshu has been taken. We can expect orders for a change at any time.”
Tired and ill as she was the news upset Nancy more than anything had since she first heard Tommy was missing. She took a grip on the tent pole to steady her wobbly knees.
Major Reed was aware of her condition and said, “You look actually ill, Nancy. Don’t drive yourself so hard—ease up a bit.” He turned away a minute and rummaged in a box of medicines. He found a bottle of golden pills and handed them to her. “Take these vitamins, two a day, till you get your pep back.”
Nancy thanked him and hesitated a moment, wondering if she ought to confess about the chill yesterday. She decided against it, however, feeling confident she could take care of herself. She was to wonder later if things might have been different had she spoken then.
Nancy’s second chill struck her the next morning before she was out of bed, and at the hour she should have reported for duty she was burning with fever. Mabel was scheduled to have the day off, so offered to take Nancy’s place. She would report Nancy in need of a day’s rest and otherwise keep silent. Their other dormitory companions were also asked not to betray her.
Nancy kept up her medicine and by dinner time that evening was feeling somewhat better. Hoping to evade too many inquiries she decided to appear at the mess hall with Mabel, Shorty and Ida. Shorty and Mabel were in high spirits and kept them laughing with funny stories about the Fuzzy Wuzzies throughout the meal, and Nancy’s morale mounted several degrees.
The four friends, who had grown so companionable during these months of service, little dreamed that was the last meal they would have together on the other side of the world. But their routine came to an unexpected end just as they were leaving the mess hall.