Ch9-Heroes of the Dawn

CHAPTER NINE Heroes of the Dawn Uhh-woh? Jack felt Koku's little hand on his ear. He opened his eyes. The mosquito netting had been pulled back. The baby baboon was perched on the headboard of the bed. She grabbed Jack's

ear and tugged. He started to push her away, but to his surprise, his right arm was pinned across his chest. It was tucked tightly into a cotton sling. "No, no, Koku!" said Annie. She pushed the baby baboon away from Jack. Florence Nightingale was sitting on the edge of the bed, wrapping a long piece of cloth around Annie's ankle. "Hello, Jack!" said Florence with a lovely smile. "I hope you don't mind your sling. I maneuvered your arm into it while you were in a deep sleep." "Thanks," he said. "I'm afraid you dislocated your shoulder," said Florence. "It will be less painful if you wear the sling. As soon as you get to a city, you must see a doctor." "I will, thanks," said Jack. Florence finished pinning the cloth bandage snugly around Annie's ankle. "There, m'lady! Your ankle will heal as well. But you must go very slowly for a while," she said. She looked at Jack. "Your sister received a frightful sprain, but I'm happy to say she has broken no bones."

"Cool," said Jack. Florence tucked Jack's blanket tighter around him. "There, soldier. Warmer now?" Jack was confused at first; then he realized that Florence had thought he meant that he was cold when he said cool. He started to laugh, but it hurt his arm too much. "Miss Nightingale, you really are a great nurse," said Annie. "What's your secret?" "I have no secret," said Florence. "I have only taken care of friends and relatives. As you heard from Lord Bickerson, my family does not allow me to work. But I would love to be a nurse. That is my greatest dream in life. It is why I found it so strange that you two thought I was a nurse. And now, through entirely unpredictable circumstances, I have been a nurse to you both! Is that not a remarkable coincidence?" Florence shook her head with wonder. "Well. Please excuse me, and I will pour your tea." Florence stepped over to a small kerosene stove and poured water from a teakettle into two cups. "Good try," Jack whispered to Annie. "She still doesn't have a clue that she's great. So how can

she share her secret of greatness with us?" "I don't know," said Annie. "This is tricky." "Here you are," said Florence, returning with two cups of tea. She handed Annie one cup, and then helped Jack take the other in his left hand. Jack carefully brought it to his lips. The hot tea and honey tasted wonderful. "So allow me to understand what you told me last night," said Florence. "You both risked your lives to save Koku?" Jack and Annie nodded. Florence smiled and turned to the baby baboon. "Little one, I believe your two friends are great heroes," she said. "Not really," said Annie. "We're not like you. You are the great hero." "What? How silly. Surely no one would call me a hero," said Florence. "But they will," said Annie. "I know you're not a real nurse yet. But someday you're going to be the greatest nurse of all time." Florence looked at Jack. "Did you actually see your sister fall from the cliff?" she said under her

breath. "No. Why?" Jack whispered. "I worry she might have hit her head," said Florence. "She does not seem in her right mind." Jack laughed. "Don't worry, she's fine," he said. "What she says about you is true. We know it for a fact." "Oh, dear, perhaps you both fell on your heads," said Florence. "I appreciate your gratitude, children, but an ankle bandage and a simple arm sling should not convince you I will be a great nurse." "Well, what do you think makes a great nurse?" asked Annie. "I—I have thought about that, actually," said Florence. "I would have to say: discipline… quickness… and kindness." Annie slipped her hand out from under the blanket. She and Jack glanced at the Ring of Truth. It wasn't glowing. "Good try," Jack whispered again. "It seems like you definitely have those qualities," Annie said to Florence. "So why won't your family let you be a nurse?"

"They mean no harm," Florence said with a sigh. "They only want me to be a proper lady. They will allow me to care for sick relatives and even some of the villagers. But they would never permit me to work in a hospital." "That's so unfair!" said Annie. "The world needs you!" "I don't believe the world needs me," Florence said, laughing. But then her expression grew more serious. "I do believe, though, that I need the world." "What do you mean?" asked Jack. "I just feel that I must do something good for the world, for the poor and the sick." Florence's voice became strong and passionate. "I must lift the load of pain from the suffering. I must do more than walk around the garden, write meaningless letters, sit in drawing rooms, gossip about the neighbors, arrange flowers, and go to dances! I must! One's work must be for the greater good of all, not just for oneself! I feel I must do something useful for the world, or I will go stark, raving mad." Florence's eyes shone.