“Yes, I know. We’ve had to keep the windowsclosed against the smell. I assure you, it’s not usually likethis.”
“I suppose not.” The young woman, not mucholder than Maggie, set her valise on the floor beside her foot.
Tillie berated herself. Such a stupidcomment. Miss Colvill must think her a ninny. They stared at eachother.
Eliza raised her eyebrows. “May I see mybrother?”
“Of course!” Tillie picked up the carpetbag.“Come with me.”
Mother sat on the bed, wiping a cool clothover the colonel’s brow while Maggie tied a fresh bandage aroundhis ankle. Walt cleansed the wound in his shoulder. He winked atTillie when she walked in. Private Bevans gathered up the dirtybandages.
“Mother, this is Miss Eliza Colvill.” Tilliemade the rounds of introductions before taking the bowl PrivateBevans held.
Eliza’s eyes grew round as she sighted herbrother.
Mother rose and took the young woman’s arm.“Do not fret, my dear. He’s mending well, albeit slowly.”
Miss Colvill shifted her gaze to Mother thenback to the bed. The colonel still wavered in and out ofconsciousness. Occasional moans escaped his lips and a pasty pallordiscolored his cheeks, but he lived.
“Will he know me?”
“Of course he will. Come.” Mother invited herto sit.
Miss Colvill lowered herself and grasped herbrother’s hand. “Billy?” When he didn’t respond, she cast a fearfuleye back to Mother, who nodded encouragement.
She tried again. Shifting to make herselfmore comfortable on the mattress, she spoke louder. “Billy, it’sme, Eliza. I’m here to help care for you. Father sent me.” Shestroked the back of his hand looking for some sign of recognition.His eyes moved underneath his lids, and he moaned. A triumphantsmile curved her lips as tears flowed down her cheeks. “I know. Iunderstand,” she crooned. “You’ll be all right, Billy. I’m here,and I’ll help care for you. You’ll be all right.”
Tillie glanced at her mother and sister. Shecouldn’t see past her tears. She left the room with the valise,which she took to her bedroom. She trudged downstairs to washbandages and prepare supper.
Chapter 26
In the months since the fighting ended,Gettysburg endured a second kind of invasion. Thousands of peoplecame from every Northern state, looking for loved ones to bringhome and nurse back to health in the comfort of their own beds orto bury in the family plot. The townsfolk again found themselvestaxed beyond their means. Even Camp Letterman filled to capacity.Soldiers still obtained care in homes, churches, and schools.Attendants from Camp Letterman came around again to Tillie’s hometo check on Colonel Colvill and Private Kline. The colonel remainedwith the Pierces, as did his sister, but Private Kline, improved inbody and spirit, asked to go to the hospital camp, to Tillie’srelief.
She and Maggie cleaned the room and beddingso Miss Colvill could sleep nearer her brother.
They wrangled the mattress down the stairsand into the backyard where they emptied and washed the cover. Now,they struggled to hang it to dry.
“Maggie, may I ask you a question?”
“Of course. What’s on your mind?”
“Well, I was wondering. When George wanted tocourt you, what did he do? What did he say?”
The smile faded, and a pain as fresh as theday he died glimmered in her eyes.
“I’m sorry.” Tillie squeezed her hand.“Forget I asked. I didn’t mean to cause more grief.”
“No, I’m happy to answer your question.”Maggie gave a few more jerks to straighten the mattress cover.“Well, the first time, I was shopping for Christmas presents, andhe came in the store. He walked over and said hello.” Her facesoftened. “I didn’t think anything of it. He was always polite. Afew days later, I was walking home from school, and he asked if hemight escort me. That’s when he inquired if he might seek Father’spermission to court me.”
Tillie’s brows creased. “Do all men dothat?”
“They should. Whom do you have in mind?”Maggie glanced sidelong at her. “Private Kline perhaps? Or PrivateBevans?”
Tillie laughed. “Private Kline departed us,thank goodness.” She tugged on the mattress cover. “And a certainyoung private is loath to leave your side.” She pointed up at thebedroom window where Colonel Colvill lay. “In fact, he seems to bewaiting for you.”
Maggie turned in time to see him pull back,as though fearful of being caught staring. Maggie tsked and shookher head. “I told you, I’m done with soldiers.”
“I know, but I think you need inform PrivateBevans.”
“I have, but it doesn’t seem to be gettingthrough.” Maggie raised her face to the autumn sun and took a deepbreath. “Mmmm. What a beautiful day. I haven’t gotten outside in along time.”
“It is a beautiful day.”
“You still didn’t tell me who he is.” Shegave Tillie a teasing nudge.
Tillie’s face grew hot, and she fussed overthe mattress cover. Suddenly, she didn’t want Maggie to know whoshowed an interest in her.
“Tillie, Miss Maggie.” Walt approached. “Yourmother is wondering when you’re coming back in to finish cleaningthe room.”
“Tell Mother we’ll be right in,” Tilliecalled back. “Thank you, Walt.” She couldn’t suppress a pleasedsmile.
Walt waved and strode to the house.
She peeked at Maggie, who stared at her,mouth agape. “Him?” Maggie drew the word out in one long,incredulous syllable.
Tillie’s smile disappeared. She scowled. “Whynot?”
“He’s much too old for you. He must be atleast twenty-five, that’s why not.”
Tillie said nothing for a moment, and thenwhispered, “I know. But he likes me.”
* * * *
One evening after supper, while Tilliecleaned up Walt remained in the kitchen. “I’m afraid with all thepeople in the room, I’m going to be flattened against a wall,unable to move,” he joked.
“I think you’ll manage.” She didn’t know whatsort of response he expected. She grabbed the broom and swept thefloor while water boiled on the stove. She emptied the pot into thebasin and gathered up the dishes.
Walt continued to sit at the table.
Tillie watched him through her lashes, theway Maggie did with George. She poured water into a pot and put iton the heat for tea. As she washed dishes, she peeked over hershoulder.
His eyes on her made her uncomfortable. Shebrought him a plate of gingerbread. “So how is our patient doing?”She ventured a conversation.
“I think he’ll pull through. The shoulderwound is closing up and doesn’t
