"Annie?" said Jack.
"Over here!" she called.
Jack saw two figures standing in the twilight.
He walked over to Annie and Clara. They all stared in thedirection of the distant battlefield.
Bright lights flashed against the dark blue horizon--cannonshells exploding.
"Every time you see a flash, you know a shell may have takena life or many lives," said Clara.
"That's awful," said Annie.
"Yes, it is," said Clara. "A whole world can vanish in thatflash--all a young man's joys and sorrows, all his memories.""This is a cruel war!" said Annie.
"All wars are cruel," said Clara Barton. "People feel they mustfight for causes they believe in. But they soon discover that waris not about glory and fame. It's about misery and terrible painand sadness.""It makes me miss my mom and dad," said Annie. "It makesme really miss them." Annie sounded tired and homesick. Finally, she had lost hercheerfulness.
"I think it's time for you two to go home," said Clara.
Jack thought of all the wounded men who needed food andwater and kindness and comfort.
"No!" Jack said. "We have to stay. We can't give up. That's onthe list--Don't give up.
Jack pulled out their list to show Clara Barton.
"Oh, yes," she said, nodding. "I see one of my nurses haswritten down the things I often say. Let me add one thing more-Do not forget the ones who love you."Jack heaved a big sigh. He was homesick, too.
"Can we keep the list?" he asked.
"Of course," said Clara. "You don't have to work in a hospitalto follow my words. They work in all of life no matter whereyou go.""Thanks," said Jack.
"My thanks to both of you," said Clara Barton. "You weregreat helpers." "You were a great teacher," said Annie.
"Good-bye," said Clara Barton. "Be very careful going home.""We will," said Jack and Annie. "Bye."The sun was setting as they walked out of the camp. Theboom of cannons sounded in the distance.
Soldiers sang a song around a campfire.
We're tenting tonight on the old camp ground;Give us a song to cheerOur weary hearts, a song of home,And friends we love so dear.
Jack and Annie walked through the darkening field. By thetime they reached the woods, the stars were out.
They climbed up the rope ladder to the tree house. Anniegrabbed the Pennsylvania book.
"Wait," said Jack.
He looked out the window. He couldn't see anything below.
But the soldiers' song still carried through the warm, starrynight.
Many are the heartsthat are weary tonight,Wishing for the 'war to cease...
As Jack listened, he thought of Clara Barton, the elderly slave,the young Confederate soldier, and John, the drummer boy...
"War is not a game," Jack said softly. "It is definitely not agame."Many are the hearts looking for the rightTo see the dawn of peace.
The song ended. The cannon fire stopped. The night wasquiet, except for the croaking of frogs.
"Ready?" Annie whispered. "Ready," said Jack. "I really wishwe could go home," Annie said, pointing to the picture of theFrog Creek woods.
The wind started to blow.
The tree house started to spin.
It spun faster and faster.
Then everything was still.
Absolutely still. |