Now, I insist. Before you do a thing you must have a cup of
hot coffee and some nourishing food yourself. The best impulses in
the world are not equal to the tasks before us. Indeed, we shall
fail these poor men in their sore need if we do not keep our
strength. The worst is yet to come. As far as you can, control your
feelings, for emotion wears faster than work. Let's first go to the
kitchen."
Zany followed from the dining-room with her hands full of dishes.
She gave Miss Lou a swift, significant glance, and that was all.
Even she was sobered by the scenes witnessed that morning and the
thought of Chunk's indefinite absence. Aun' Suke sat dozing in a
corner, absolutely worn out, and other negroes from the quarters had
been pressed into the service. Mrs. Baron was superintending their
efforts to supply soup and such articles of diet as the surgeons had
ordered. "Ole miss" now shone to advantage and had the executive
ability of a general. In cool, sharp, decisive tones she gave her
orders, which were obeyed promptly by assistants awed into
forgetfulness of everything else except the great, solemn emergency.
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