Instantly the ripple of light talk ceased, and every ear became alert for the coming change.
“Half of us are to move up to open a new hospital. The rest will follow when this camp has been cleared of patients. The situation is now so well in hand that any on Koshu Island needing special treatment may be quickly flown out to larger bases.”
Nancy caught Mabel’s hand at this dreaded news. It threatened to shatter all her high hopes of an expedition to search for Tommy.
Mabel, fully aware of the cause of Nancy’s concern, whispered consolingly, “Maybe you’ll be allowed to stay behind and see it through.”
“I’m afraid no one will push the expedition unless I’m here,” she replied. “Especially if Vernon’s sent back to a base hospital.”
“The moving unit will be prepared to leave at once. The transport will stand by to pick us up at any hour now,” explained Major Reed. “The following nurses will leave for the new base.” He then proceeded to read a list of about twenty-five names.
When he called Mabel’s name Nancy clutched at her friend’s hand desperately. She had scarcely recovered from that shock before her own name was called. Weakened as she was with illness and fatigue she had to take a grip on herself to keep back the tears.
“You’re too sick now to make a change,” Mabel said, knowing how very much Nancy wanted to stay here. “I’m going to tell them you’ve been having chills.”
This was a real temptation to Nancy. A week or two longer on Koshu might make all the difference in the world where Tommy was concerned. But had she any right to put her own personal considerations ahead of this call to more dangerous service? They might even think she was using her illness or Tommy’s rescue as an excuse to cling to the safer work here on Koshu Island.
Her thoughts moved swiftly, but her decision was unshakable when she replied, “No, Mabel. I agreed to give myself to this work. I’ll go wherever they send me.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change had always been stimulating to Nancy, but this time she found she could not shake off her depression even after she was aboard ship. Koshu Island was a safe haven she was reluctant to leave. In total darkness they went aboard the transport and in total darkness they moved out to sea again. This ship had detached itself from the convoy to pick up the nurses and several hundred troops. Perhaps by daylight they would again be part of a great flotilla.