"Twenty-three."

"No female nurses?"

"No, madam. As I told you, a woman has no business to step inside of a
hospital."

"As I told you, we evidently differ in that respect. Where I have
found judicious female nurses it seems more home-like, and our
soldiers feel more contented."

"Very few, very few judicious female nurses."

"They exist, notwithstanding. How many surgeons have you?"

"Only four at present."

"You are the surgeon in charge; please give me your name."

"My name is Surgeon Powers, of the Seventh Missouri Regiment."

His name and figures were too plainly recorded to be effaced. Here he
turned a perfect somersault, if words could perform the feat. With an
affected politeness, bowing himself almost double:

"Madam, I hope you will call again some time; call in the middle of
the forenoon or afternoon--very unfavorable about meal-time."

"If I remain a week or ten days longer in the city," I replied, "I