It must have been a wonderful cargo, that of the Victis; I can think of nothing but the astonishing bag of the Mother in the '' Swiss Family Robinson," or that still more marvelous one of the Fairy Blackstick. Do you remember?
" And Giglio returned to his room, where the first thing he saw was the fairy bag lying on the table, which seemed to give a little hop as he came in. ' I hope it has some breakfast in it,' says Gig-
Ho, ' for I have only a very little money left.' But on opening the bag, what do you think was there? A blacking-brush and a pot of Warren's jet, and on the pot was written,
"Poor young men their boots must black; Use me and cork me and put me back! "
So Giglio laughed and blacked his boots, and put the brush and the bottle into the bag.
" When he had done dressing himself, the bag gave another hop, and he went to it and took out —
1. A tablecloth and napkin.
2. A sugar basin full of the best loaf sugar.
4, 6, 8, lo. Two forks, two teaspoons, two knives, and a pair of sugar-tongs, and a butterknife, all marked G. II, 12, 13. A teacup, saucer, and slop-basin.
14. A jug full of delicious cream.
15. A canister with black tea and green.
16. A large tea-urn and boiling water.
17. A saucepan, containing three eggs nicely done.
18. A quarter of a pound of best Epping butter.
19. A brown loaf.
'' And if he hadn't enough now for a good breakfast, I should like to know who ever had one? " When I was your age, I never tired of reading about this breakfast; and then there was that other wonderful day when the bag was " grown so long that the Prince could not help remarking it. He went to it, opened it, and what do you think he found in it?
" A splendid long gold-handled, red-velvet-scabbarded cut-and-thrust sword, and on the sheath was embroidered ' ROSALBA FOREVER!' "
But I am not writing the " Rose and the Ring "; I wish I were!
So, as I said, all good and comforting things came in those first days out of the Fairy Florence's bag — I mean ship. She hired a house close by the hospital, and set up a laundry, with every proper and sanitary arrangement, and there, every week, five hundred shirts were washed, besides other garments. But now came a new difficulty. Many of the soldiers had no clothes at all save the filthy and ragged ones on their backs; what was to become of them while their shirts were washed and mended? The ship bag gave another hop (at least I should think it would have, for pure joy of the good it was doing), and out came ten thousand shirts; and for the first time since they left the battle-field the sick and wounded men were clean and comfortable.
But the Lady-in-Chief knew that her fairy stores were not of the kind that renew themselves; and having once got matters into something like decent order and comfort in the hospital, she turned quietly and resolutely to do battle with the monster Red Tape.
The officials of Scutari did not know what to make of the new state of things. As I have said, many of them had shaken their heads and pulled very long faces when they heard that a woman was coming out who was to have full power and authority over all things pertaining to the care of the sick and wounded. They honestly thought, no doubt, that the confusion would be doubled, the distraction turned to downright madness. What could a woman know about such matters? What experience had she had of " service rules "? What would become of them all?
They were soon to find out. The Lady-in-Chief did not cry out, or wring her hands, or do any of the things they had expected. Neither did she bluster or rage, scold or reproach. She simply said that this or that must be done, and then saw that it was done. Her tact and judgment were as great as her power and wisdom; more I cannot say.
Suppose she wanted certain stores that were in a warehouse on the wharf. The warehouse was locked. She sent for the wharfinger. Would he please open the warehouse and give her the stores? He was very sorry, but he could not do so without an order from the board. She went to the chief officer of the board. He was very sorry, but it would be necessary to have a meeting of the entire board. Who made up the board? Well, Mr. Soand-so, and Dr. This, and Mr. That, and Colonel 'Tother. Where were they? Well, one of them was not very well, and another was probably out riding, and a third
Would he please call them together at once?
Well, he was extremely busy just now, but tomorrow or the day after, he would be delighted