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The Valley of Vision : a Book of Romance an Some Half Told Tales by Henry Van Dyke
page 143 of 207 (69%)
"Milk and beef-tea!" growled the Commandant as if they were
swear-words. "What the devil is this new influenza that has struck
the hospital? Steward, you will provide what the head nurse requires
at once. Orderly, my cap, and call Mr. Greel to accompany me on
inspection."

In the galley the fires were out, the ovens cold, the soup-kettles
empty, and all the cooks, dish-washers, and scrubbers were absorbing
the eloquence of the third assistant pie-maker, who stood on an
empty biscuit-box and explained the glories of the one-hour day in
the New Era.

'"Ten_shun!_" yelled the Orderly, and the force of habit
brought the men up, stiff and silent. The Commandant looked around
the circle, grinning.

"My word!" he cried, "what a beautiful sight! What do you think
this is--a blooming debating society? Wrong! It's a hospital, with
near a thousand sick and wounded to take care of. And it's going
to be done, see? And you're going to help do it, see? No work--no
pay and no food! Neglect of orders means extra duty and no liberty
--perhaps a couple of twenty-four-hour days in the brig. That's the
rule in all eras, see? Now get busy, all of you. Chow at twelve as
usual. Carry on, men."

"Aye, aye, sir," they answered cheerily, for they were weary of
the third assistant pie-maker's brand of talk and felt the pangs
of healthy hunger.

Then came the second engineer, out of breath with running, followed
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