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That night, as Carl lay on the ground trying to sleep, absorbed by thoughts of his aching
feet, there was an impatient hand on his shoulder. 'Carl, is that you? Wake up! You shouldn't be asleep.' It was Sister Helen. 'I've been trying to find your Company all day, Carl. You were so far behind.' 'Go away, Sister, I'm sleeping' said Carl, very irritably. 'Carl, the Pastor said that it was my duty to check your Company's welfare. You must come with me and help.' 'Can't it wait until the morning?' 'No it can't. Come on!' She would not leave him alone and eventually he got up and went with her, shuffling among the clustered bodies for an hour or more. There was none that needed any help: the people of the 'Men Apart' quite used to traveling like this and they were no more happy than Carl had been to be woken needlessly. Eventually, when they returned to where Carl had been lying, the Sister asked Carl if she could sleep by him. 'By all means, Sister.' As the Sister lay down beside Carl, not so close that her small body touched his, he could see by the light of a fire her tired but happy, earnest face. She was not pretty but she fascinated him. She was no longer wearing the robes of a Sister. He asked her why. 'The Pastor said we should not wear them. He said they wouldn't be right for the Army. We'll get special uniforms when we're at the front.' 'But you'll still be a Sister in the Army, won't you, Sister?' 'Oh, yes, Carl. Until I die, fighting for the things God loves the best. If I get the chance, I will plunge a knife into the enemy's heart myself.' 'That's not what I meant, Sister. You're happy with your situation? You intend to remain... chaste?' 'Carl! I do, Carl.' Said the Sister indignantly and Carl guessed that she was blushing. 'Then she regained her self assurance. 'Oh, I see... you miss your Theresa. Well, I can understand that, but don't you think this is what God wants for you?' 'I don't know, Sister. I don't understand it, really.' 'Perhaps I can help you understand, Carl.' 'Well, I understand that we must go to War, but I don't understand why the Pastor isn't with us. Doesn't he want to go and die for God too?' 'He does, Carl. He assured me of that. But there are many Pastors who are already in the Army. Didn't you see that young Officer today? Our Pastor must find his own ways to fight.' 'Sister, It may be wrong of me but I have no wish to die.' 'Would you like me to pray for you, Carl?' 'Thank you, Sister.' Carl lay for a long time trying to sleep, listening to the Sister's whispered prayers, thinking that, if she would just lie close enough beside him for him to touch her he would be happy. But alas, her convictions were more austere and restraining than the garments she had worn. Without sleep the ceremony of night dragged on forever but, before dawn the Brigade was bustling again as the people indulged in half hearted attempts to relight fires or trudge back to the river for water. Then they were off again. Beyond Drummerton the track became wider and clearer. 'Looks like there's been plenty more down this way before us,' said Ursus. 'Pity the rain hasn't made walking any easier.' And on they went, the hunter naming the towns they passed close to: Mackieville, Sweetair, Peasoup towards their destination, Collecting Center #55. |
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