Thank you then I'll take something: which I did, in the shape of dinner, reeling off my news at the rate of three dozen words to a mouthful and as every one else talked equally fast, and all together, the scene was most inspiring.Īs boys going to sea immediately become nautical in speech, walk as if they already had their sea legs on, and shiver their timbers on all possible occasions, so I turned military at once, called my dinner my rations, saluted all new comers, and ordered a dress parade that very afternoon. Tom, the irrepressible, broke it with a slap on the shoulder and the graceful compliment.

Generals, why not a Miss?-produced three results: I felt that I could do the work, was offered a place, and accepted it, promising not to desert, but stand ready to march on Washington at an hour's notice.Ī few days were necessary for the letter containing my request and recommendation to reach headquarters, and another, containing my commission, to return therefore no time was to be lost and heartily thanking my pair of friends, I tore home through the December slush as if the rebels were after me, and like many another recruit, burst in upon my family with the announcement-Īn impressive silence followed.

A morning chat with Miss General S.-we hear no end of Mrs. In a few days a townswoman heard of my desire, approved of it, and brought about an interview with one of the sisterhood which I wished to join, who was at home on a furlough, and able and willing to satisfy all inquiries. Arriving at this satisfactory conclusion, the meeting adjourned, and the fact that Miss Tribulation was available as army nurse went abroad on the wings of the wind. was matron, and all the youthful P.s filled the pod of futurity with achievements whose brilliancy eclipsed the glories of the present and the past. A model hospital was erected, and each member had accepted an honorable post therein. An hour's conversation on the subject set the whole family in a blaze of enthusiasm. They all wear rose-colored spectacles, and are lineal descendants of the inventor of aerial architecture. At first sight not a foot of it appeared, but that didn't matter, for the Periwinkles are a hopeful race their crest is an anchor, with three cock-a-doodles crowing atop. Go nurse the soldiers, said my young brother, Tom, panting for the tented field. Turn actress, and immortalize your name, said sister Vashti, striking an attitude. Take a husband like my Darby, and fulfill your mission, said sister Joan, home on a visit.Ĭan't afford expensive luxuries, Mrs. No thank you, ma'am, ten years of that is enough. Write a book, quoth the author of my being.ĭon't know enough, sir. This remark being addressed to the world in general, no one in particular felt it their duty to reply so I repeated it to the smaller world about me, received the following suggestions, and settled the matter by answering my own inquiry, as people are apt to do when very much in earnest.

Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott