"
It was evident that the surgeon was terribly angry. He had been
brought up in the old regular army, and anything like
insubordination or injury to his patients were things he could not
tolerate. Mr. Baron went forward with him and said in a low tone:
"You are virtually in command here and all know it. A few words from
you will have more effect than anything I can say."
"Very well, then," responded the resolute surgeon, and he strode
toward the negroes, not noticing that Miss Lou kept almost at his
side.
"Look here, you people," he began harshly, "do you think I will
permit such disturbances? They may be the death of brave men. Quit
your nonsense at once. You are simply what you've always been.
Yankee words don't make you free any more than they make us throw
down our arms. What happened to the general who said you were free?
We fought him and drove him away. There is only one thing you can do
and MUST do--go to work as before, and woe be to those who make
trouble. That's all."
"No," cried Miss Lou, "that surely cannot be all.
Pages:
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441