A train of ambulances had left their sad freight at our door , and we were hurrying to get the poor fellows into much needed beds , after a week of hunger , cold , and unavoidable neglect . All forms of pain were in my ward that night , and all borne with the pathetic patience which was a daily marvel to those who saw it . Trying to bring order out of chaos , I was rushing up and down the narrow aisle between the rows of rapidly filling beds , and , after brushing several times against a pair of the largest and muddiest boots I ever saw , I paused at last to inquire why they were impeding the passageway . I found they belonged to a very tall man who seemed to be already asleep or dead , so white and still and utterly worn out he looked as he lay there , without a coat , a great patch on his forehead , and the right arm rudely bundled up . Stooping to cover him , I saw that he was unconscious , and , whipping out my brandy-bottle and salts , soon brought him round , for it was only exhaustion . `` Can you eat ? '' I asked , as he said , `` Thanky , ma'am , '' after a long draught of water and a dizzy stare . `` Eat ! I 'm starvin ' ! '' he answered , with such a ravenous glance at a fat nurse who happened to be passing , that I trembled for her , and hastened to take a bowl of soup from her tray . As I fed him , his gaunt , weather-beaten face had a familiar look ; but so many such faces had passed before me that winter , I did not recall this one till the ward-master came to put up the cards with the new-comers ' names above their beds . My man seemed absorbed in his food ; but I naturally glanced at the card , and there was the name `` Joseph Collins '' to give me an additional interest in my new patient . `` Why , Joe ! is it really you ? '' I exclaimed , pouring the last spoonful of soup down his throat so hastily that I choked him . `` All that 's left of me . Wal , ai n't this luck , now ? '' gasped Joe , as gratefully as if that hospital-cot was a bed of roses . `` What is the matter ? A wound in the head and arm ? ''
I XXXXX , feeling sure that no slight affliction had brought Joe there .
ai asked belonged gasped marvel pouring said seemed stare trembled