When he called Mabel’s name Nancy clutched at her friend’s hand desperately. She had scarcely recovered from that shock before her own name was called. Weakened as she was with illness and fatigue she had to take a grip on herself to keep back the tears.
“You’re too sick now to make a change,” Mabel said, knowing how very much Nancy wanted to stay here. “I’m going to tell them you’ve been having chills.”
This was a real temptation to Nancy. A week or two longer on Koshu might make all the difference in the world where Tommy was concerned. But had she any right to put her own personal considerations ahead of this call to more dangerous service? They might even think she was using her illness or Tommy’s rescue as an excuse to cling to the safer work here on Koshu Island.
Her thoughts moved swiftly, but her decision was unshakable when she replied, “No, Mabel. I agreed to give myself to this work. I’ll go wherever they send me.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
ADRIFT
Change had always been stimulating to Nancy, but this time she found she could not shake off her depression even after she was aboard ship. Koshu Island was a safe haven she was reluctant to leave. In total darkness they went aboard the transport and in total darkness they moved out to sea again. This ship had detached itself from the convoy to pick up the nurses and several hundred troops. Perhaps by daylight they would again be part of a great flotilla.
The air on deck was cold after the tropical nights they had endured ashore. Nancy’s weakened condition made her super-sensitive to chill. She buttoned her overcoat tightly and turned up her collar, keeping her Mae West slung over her shoulder. Immediately on going aboard, and even before they were on the move, they had an abandon ship drill and became acquainted with the position of their lifeboats. Nancy’s and Mabel’s boat was number four, not more than fifty steps from the lounge where they were to spend the night.
There was not a bunk left on the tightly packed ship to assign to these last passengers. They were merely super-cargo, picked up enroute to the ship’s destination. Since they expected to go ashore some time the following morning, their discomforts would not be too prolonged.
“I surely hate to leave,” said Mabel as Koshu Island became a dark smudge on the horizon. “Our life back there will be something to remember forever.”