It had been written in the trenches
before Sebastopol, for these events took place in the mid-Victorian
period towards the end of the Crimean War. Or rather the letter had been
begun in the trenches and finished in the military hospital, whither
George had been conveyed, suffering from "fever and severe chill," which
seemed to be somewhat contradictory terms, though doubtless they were in
fact compatible enough. Still he wrote a very interesting letter, which,
after the pudding had been consumed to the last spoonful, Anthony read
aloud while the girls ate apples and cracked nuts with their teeth.
"Dear me! George seems to be very unwell," said Mrs. Walrond.
"Yes," answered Anthony, "I am afraid he is. One of the medical officers
whom my father knows, who is working in that hospital, says they mean
to send him home as soon as he can bear the journey, though he doesn't
think it will be just at present."
This sounded depressing, but Mr. Walrond found that it had a bright
side.
"At any rate, he won't be shot like so many poor fellows; also he has
been in several of the big battles and will be promoted. I look upon him
as a made man. He'll soon shake off his cold in his native air----"
"And we shall have a real wounded hero in the village," said one of the
girls.
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