Mrs. Rutherford said quietly:  “I will go.  But I must see my husband and children first.  I could be ready by to-morrow, if that will do.”

Another—­a young girl—­said:  “I could not leave my mother at an hour’s notice.  She is ill.  Would tomorrow do, Dr. Benton?”

“I—­think I can go to-day,” said Ailsa in a low voice.

“Our quota is to be two nurses,” said the doctor.  But no other lady could possibly leave before the morrow; and it was, after all, scarcely fair to expect it of women with families to be provided for and home responsibilities to be arranged.

“I could go to-day—­if I may be permitted,” said the doctor’s young assistant, timidly.

He swung around and scowled at her, lips compressed, eyes gleaming through his spectacles: 

“You are not asked to go, Miss Lynden.”

“I—­thought——­”

“Do you want to go?”

“If Mrs. Paige is going—­alone——­”

Ailsa looked at her, gratefully surprised, but smiled her thanks.

“If Miss Lynden may come, Dr. Benton, I would be very glad.  May she?”

“Miss Lynden is not a member of Sainte Ursula’s congregation,” he said drily.  “She’s my—­rather valuable—­assistant.”

“She has been to church with me several times,” said Ailsa.  “I have spoken to her about becoming a communicant of Sainte Ursula’s, and she desired to begin her instruction in October——­”

“But, confound it!—­I want her with me!” interrupted the doctor impatiently.  “My house and office require the services of Miss Lynden!” He turned and paced the room rapidly, hands clasped behind his bent back; then, halting: 

“Do you want to go?” he repeated.

The girl coloured.  “You are very kind to wish me to remain. . . .  But I feel as though Mrs. Paige should not go alone.”

“Oh, all right,” said the doctor gruffly.  “And you’d better start at once; that train leaves at mid-day.”  And, turning to his class:  “Now, ladies, if you will kindly put away those rags and give me your strict and undivided attention!”—­his voice rumbled off into a growl.

Ailsa was already putting on her hat.  Presently Letty Lynden came out of the inner office, carrying a light scarf over her arm.  She and Ailsa bade a hasty and excited good-bye to the ladies of the class; thanked Dr. Benton; listened solemnly to instructions; promised to obey; and gave him tremulous hands in leave taking.

“If those ungrateful dogs of soldiers don’t appreciate you two young ladies, come home on the next train, where you’ll be appreciated,” grumbled the doctor.  “Anyway, God bless you both.  And don’t drink dirty water!  And keep your patients clean!  Keep ’em clean! clean! clean!  I’ve a notion that cleanness is nine-tenths of surgery; and it’s all there is to nursing—­but few agree with me.  Good-bye!  Tell Agnew I say that you know your business!”