The Hospital

A clean, quiet, airy room, like all the rest; like all the
rest filled with rows of beds, the occupants of which had come
from the stir of the fight and the bustle of the march, to lie
here and be still; from doing to suffering. How much the
harder work, I thought; and if it be well done, how much the
nobler. And all who know the way in which our boys did it,
will bear witness to their great nobleness. Patient, and
strong, and brave, where there was no excitement to cheer, nor
spectators to applaud; their fortitude and their patience and
their generous self-devotion never failed nor faltered, when
all adventitious or real helps and stimulants were withdrawn,
and patriotism and bravery stood alone.

From the turn of Dr. Sandford's head, I knew on which side I
might look to see Preston; and as we slowly passed up the long
line of beds, I scanned breathlessly each face. Old and young,
grim and fair, gentle and rough; it was a variety. And then I
saw, I should hardly have known it, a pale face with a dark
moustache and a thick head of dark, glossy hair, which was
luxuriant yet, although it had been cropped. His eyes were
closed as we came up; opened as we paused by his bed-side, and
opened very wide indeed as he looked from the doctor to me.

"How do you do, this morning, Gary?" said my conductor.

"Confoundedly -" was the somewhat careless answer, made while
examining my face.