Ruth Fielding In the Red Cross by Alice B. Emerson

Author:Alice B. Emerson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: First World War Fiction, Children's Fiction
Publisher: epubBooks Classics
Published: 2014-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter XIV

A Change of Base

Ruth's daily tasks did not often bring her into contact with the chief of her unit. This was a very large hospital—one of the most extensive base hospitals in France. There were thousands of dollars' worth of supplies in Ruth's single department.

At present the American Red Cross at this point was caring for French and Canadian wounded. As the American forces came over, were developed into fighting men, and were brought back from the battlefield hospitals as grands blessés, as the French call the more seriously wounded, this base would finally handle American wounded only.

Ruth went through some of the wards in her spare hours, for she had become acquainted with several of the nurses coming over. The appeal of the helpless men (some of them blinded) wrenched the tender heart of the girl of the Red Mill as nothing she had ever before experienced.

She found that in her off hours she could be of use in the hospital wards. So many of the patients wished to write home, but could do so only through the aid of the Red Cross workers. This task Ruth could perform, for she could write and speak French.

Nobody interfered with her when she undertook these extra tasks. She saw that many of the girls in her own unit kept away from the wards because the sight of the wounded and crippled men was hard to bear. Even Clare Biggars had other uses for her spare moments than writing letters for helpless blessés.

Ruth was not forced into contact with the chief of her unit, and was glad thereof. Her weekly reports went up to Madame Mantel, and that was quite all Ruth had to do with the woman in black.

But the girl heard her mates talking a good deal about the woman. The latter seemed to be a favorite with most of the unit. Clare Biggars quite "raved" about Madame Mantel.

"And she knows so many nice people!" Clare exclaimed. "I wish my French was better. I went to dinner last night with Madame Mantel at that little café of the Chou–rouge. Half the people there seemed to know her. And Professor Perry―"

"Not the man who came over on the steamer with us?" Ruth asked with sudden anxiety.

"The very same," said Clare. "He ate at our table."

"I don't suppose that little Italian chef, Signor Aristo, was among those present, too?" Ruth asked suspiciously.

"No. The only Italian I saw was not lame like Signor Aristo. Madame said he was an Italian commissioner. He was in uniform."

"Who was in uniform? Aristo?"

"Why, no! How you talk! The Italian gentleman at the restaurant. Aristo had a short leg, don't you remember? This man was dressed in an Italian uniform—all red and green, and medals upon his coat."

"I think I will go to the Chou–rouge myself," Ruth said dryly. "It must be quite a popular place. But I hope they serve something to eat besides the red cabbage the name signifies."

Again her suspicions were aroused to fever heat.

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