"Quite so, Mr. Greel, but you understand this Hospital has to
carry on as required in any kind of an era. How many patients did
we receive yesterday? Good. Have we enough bedding and provisions?
Bad. Attend to it immediately, and let me know the result of your
efforts to remedy a situation which should never have arisen. The
Navy cannot be run on hot air."

As the Executive Officer went out he held the door open for the Head
Nurse to pass in. She was a fine, upstanding creature, tremulous
with emotion.

"Oh, Doctor," she cried, "I simply must tell you about the New Era.
Woman Suffrage is going to save the world."

"I hope so, Miss Dooby, it certainly needs saving. Meantime how
are things in the pneumonia ward?"

"Two deaths last night, sir, three new cases this morning. Oxygen
is running short: no beef-tea or milk. Five of my nurses have gone
to attend conventions of woman--"

"Slackers," interrupted the Commandant. "Put them on report for
leaving the ship without permission. I shall attend to their cases.
Fill their places from the volunteer list. Be so good as to send
the head steward here immediately."

"I'm very sorry, Sir," said the steward, "but ye see it's just
this way. The mess-boys was holdin' a New Era mass-meetin', and
the cook he forgot--"