"Now," said he, "are you fixed in the plan of devoting
yourself to the care of this ungracious cousin?"
"Of him, and of others," I said.
"He does not deserve it."
"Suppose we waited to give people their deserts, Dr.
Sandford?"
"Some people deserve to be allowed to take care of you," said
the doctor, getting up and beginning to pace up and down the
floor. "They deserve it; and find it hard work; or denied them
altogether."
"You do take care of me," I said gratefully. "You always did,
Dr. Sandford. You are doing it now; and I am thanking you all
the time in my heart."
"Well," said he abruptly, standing still before me, - "you are
one of those who are born to command; and in your case I
always find I have to obey. This room you will use as you
please; no one will share it with you; and you need a
retiring-place for a breath of rest when you can get it. I
shall see you constantly, as I am going out and in; and
anything you want you will tell me. But you will not like it,
Daisy. You can stand the sight of blood, like other women,
whose tenderness makes them strong; but you will not like some
other things. You will not like the way you will have to take
your meals in this place."
I had finished my cup of tea, and now stood up to let the
doctor take me back to my place beside Preston; which he did
without any more words. And there he left me; and I sat down
to consider my work and my surroundings. My cousin had
forgotten his impatience in sleep; and there was a sort of
lull in the business of the ward at that hour.
I found in a few minutes that it was a great comfort to me to
be there. Not since papa's death, had so peaceful a sense of
full hands and earnest living crept into my heart. My thoughts
flew once or twice to Mr. Thorold, but I called them back as
soon; I could not bear that; while at the same time I felt I
was nearer to him here than anywhere else. And my thoughts
were very soon called effectually home from my own special
concerns, by seeing that the tenant of one of the neighbouring
beds was restless and suffering from fever. A strong, fine-
looking man, flushed and nervous on a fever bed, in helpless
inactivity, with the contrast of life energies all at work and
effectively used only a little while ago, in the camp and the
battlefield. Now lying here. His fever proceeded from his
wounds, I knew, for I had seen them dressed. I went to him and
laid my hand on his forehead. I wonder what and how much there
can be in the touch of a hand. It quieted him, like a charm;
and after a while, a fan and a word or two now and then were
enough for his comfort. I did not seem to be Daisy Randolph; I
was just - the hospital nurse; and my use was to minister; and
the joy of ministering was very great.