CHAPTER XI
PATSY IS DEFIANT
That evening the captain joined Dr. Gys on deck.
"That German, Lieutenant Elbl," he began.
"Oh, is that his name?" asked Gys.
"Yes. Will he get well?"
"Certainly. What is a foot, to a man like him? But his soldiering daysare past."
"Perhaps that's fortunate," returned the captain, ruminatively. "When Iwas a boy, his father was burgomaster--mayor--in Munich. People said hewas well-to-do. The Germans are thrifty, so I suppose there's stillmoney in the Elbl family."
"Money will do much to help reconcile the man to the loss of his foot,"declared the doctor.
"Will he suffer much pain, while it is getting well?"
"Not if I can help it. The fellow bears pain with wonderful fortitude.When I was in Yucatan, and had to slash my face to get out the poisoneddarts of the cactus, I screamed till you could have heard me a mile. AndI had no anaesthetic to soothe me. Your lieutenant never whimpered orcringed with his mangled foot and he refused morphine when I operated onit. But I fooled him. I hate to see a brave man suffer. I stuck a needlejust above the wound when he wasn't looking, and I've doped his medicineever since."
"Thank you," said Carg; "he's my cousin."
In the small hours of the next morning, while Patsy was on duty in thehospital section, the young Belgian became wakeful and restless. Shepromptly administered a sedative and sat by his bedside. After a littlehis pain was eased and he became quiet, but he lay there with wide openeyes.
"Can I do anything more for you?" she asked.
"If you would be so kind," replied Andrew Denton.
"Well?"
"Please read to me some letters you will find in my pocket. I cannotread them myself, and--they will comfort me."
Patsy found the packet of letters.
"The top one first," he said eagerly. "Read them all!"
She opened the letter reluctantly. It was addressed in a dainty, femalehand and the girl had the uncomfortable feeling that she was about topry into personal relations of a delicate character.
"Your sweetheart?" she asked gently.
"Yes, indeed; my sweetheart and my wife."
"Oh, I see. And have you been married long?" He seemed a mere boy.
"Five months, but for the last two I have not seen her."
The letters were dated at Charleroi and each one began: "My darlinghusband." Patsy read the packet through, from first to last, her eyesfilling with tears at times as she noted the rare devotion andpassionate longing of the poor young wife and realized that the boyishhusband was even now dying, a martyr to his country's cause. Theletters were signed "Elizabeth." In one was a small photograph of asweet, dark-eyed girl whom she instantly knew to be the bereaved wife.
"And does she still live at Charleroi?" Patsy asked.
"I hope so, mademoiselle; with her mother. The Germans now occupy thetown, but you will notice the last letter states that all citizens aretreated courteously and with much consideration, so I do not fear forher."
The reading of the letters, in conjunction with the opiate, seemed tocomfort him, for presently he fell asleep. With a heavy heart the girlleft him to attend to her other patients and at three o'clock Ajo camein and joined her, to relieve the tedium of the next three hours. Theboy knew nothing of nursing, but he could help Patsy administer potionsand change compresses and his presence was a distinct relief to her.
The girl was supposed to sleep from six o'clock--at which time she wasrelieved from duty--until one in the afternoon, but the next morning ateight she walked into the forward salon, where her friends were atbreakfast, and sat down beside Uncle John.
"I could not sleep," said she, "because I am so worried over AndrewDenton."
"That is foolish, my dear," answered Mr. Merrick, affectionately pattingthe hand she laid in his. "The doctor says poor Denton cannot recover.If you're going to take to heart all the sad incidents we encounter onthis hospital ship, it will not only ruin your usefulness but destroyyour happiness."
"Exactly so," agreed Gys, coming into the salon in time to overhear thisremark. "A nurse should be sympathetic, but impersonally so."
"Denton has been married but five months," said Patsy. "I have seen hiswife's picture--she's a dear little girl!--and her letters to him arefull of love and longing. She doesn't know, of course, of his--hisaccident--or that he--he--" Her voice broke with a sob she could notrepress.
"M-m," purred Uncle John; "where does she live, this young wife?"
"At Charleroi."
"Well; the Germans are there."
"Yes, Uncle. But don't you suppose they would let her come to see herdying husband?"
"A young girl, unprotected? Would it be--safe?"
"The Germans," remarked Captain Carg from his end of the table, "arevery decent people."
"Ahem!" said Uncle John.
"Some of them, I've no doubt, are quite respectable," observed Ajo; "butfrom all reports the rank and file, in war time, are--rather unpleasantto meet."
"Precisely," agreed Uncle John. "I think, Patsy dear, it will be best toleave this Belgian girl in ignorance of her husband's fate."
"I, myself, have a wife," quoth little Maurie, with smug assurance, "butshe is not worrying about me, wherever she may be; nor do I feelespecial anxiety for Clarette. A woman takes what comes--especially ifshe is obliged to."
Patsy regarded him indignantly.
"There are many kinds of women," she began.
"Thank heaven!" exclaimed Maurie, and then she realized how futile itwas to argue with him.
A little later she walked on deck with Uncle John and pleaded her causeearnestly. It was said by those who knew him well that the kindly littlegentleman was never able to refuse Patsy anything for long, and he washimself so well aware of this weakness that he made a supreme effort toresist her on this occasion.
"You and I," said she, "would have no trouble in passing the Germanlines. We are strictly neutral, you know, we Americans, and ourpassports and the Red Cross will take us anywhere in safety."
"It won't do, my dear," he replied. "You've already been in dangerenough for one war. I shudder even now as I think of those bullets andshells at Nieuport."
"But we can pass through at some place where they are not fighting."
"Show me such a place!"
"And distances are very small in this part of the Continent. We couldget to Charleroi in a day, and return the next day with Mrs. Denton."
"Impossible."
"The doctor says he may live for several days, but it may be only forhours. If you could see his face light up when he speaks of her, youwould realize what a comfort her presence would be to him."
"I understand that, Patsy. But can't you see, my dear, that we're notable to do everything for those poor wounded soldiers? You have twentyin your charge now, and by to-night there may be possibly a dozen more.Many of them have wives at home, but--"
"But all are not dying, Uncle--and after only five months of marriedlife, three of which they passed together. Here, at least, is one braveheart we may comfort, one poor woman who will be ever grateful for ourgenerous kindness."
Mr. Merrick coughed. He wiped his eyes and blew his nose on his pinkbordered handkerchief. But he made no promise.
Patsy left him and went to Ajo.
"See here," she said; "I'm going to Charleroi in an hour."
"It's a day's journey, Patsy."
"I mean I'm going to start in an hour. Will you go with me?"
"What does Uncle John say?" he inquired cautiously.
"I don't care what he says. I'm going!" she persisted, her eyes blazingwith determination.
The boy whistled softly, studying her face. Then he walked across thedeck to Mr. Merrick.
"Patsy is rampant, sir," said he. "She won't be denied. Go and arguewith her, please."
"I _have_ argued," returned Uncle John weakly.
"Well, argue again."
The little man ca
st a half frightened, half reproachful glance at hisniece.
"Let's go and consult the doctor," he exclaimed, and together Uncle Johnand Ajo went below.
To their surprise, Gys supported Patsy's plea.
"He's a fine fellow, this Denton," said he, "and rather above theaverage soldier. Moreover, his case is a pitiful one. I'll agree to keephim alive until his wife comes."
Uncle John looked appealingly at Ajo.
"How on earth can we manage to cross the lines?" he asked.
"Take one of our launches," said the boy.
"Skim the coast to Ostend, and you'll avoid danger altogether."
"That's the idea!" exclaimed the doctor approvingly. "Why, it's theeasiest thing in the world, sir."
Uncle John began to feel slightly reassured.
"Who will run the launch?" he inquired.
"I'll give you the captain and one of the men," said the boy. "Carg's anold traveler and knows more than he appears to. Besides, he speaksGerman. We can't spare very many, you understand, and the ambulanceswill keep Maurie and me pretty busy. Patsy will be missed, too, from thehospital ward, so you must hurry back."
"Two days ought to accomplish our object," said Uncle John.
"Easily," agreed Gys. "I've arranged for a couple of girls from the townto come and help us to-day, for I must save the strength of my expertnurses as much as possible, and I'll keep them with us until you return.The French girls are not experienced in nursing, but I'll take MissPatsy's watch myself, so we shall get along all right."
Mr. Merrick and Jones returned to the deck.
"Well?" demanded Patsy.
"Get ready," said Uncle John; "we leave in an hour."
"For Charleroi?"
"Of course; unless you've changed your mind."
Patsy flew to her stateroom.