Disclaimers: Although I wish I were the creative genius behind John's and Robert's character, they belong to Julian Fellowes.
Chapter 3: Studious recovery
John woke up in his hospital bed. His ankle was still throbbing when he tried to sit up. A kind nurse had put a tight bandage on his ankle the day before and had managed to stop his bleeding nose from Wickham's powerful punch.
Taking a look at his surroundings, he discovered that all the beds were empty. He was all alone in the big infirmary, with nothing else to do other than brooding. He was nervous to find out if his injury would have him expelled from the army. The recruits had to be ready for the coming week, and he was certainly not fit for fighting for at least two weeks, according to his nurse. But then, the comforting words of his training superior echoed back in his mind: "we definitely want you in our troops". John exhaled loudly. He was hoping he had meant it. Because he couldn't go back to his old life now that he had experienced a whole week in the army. He knew he belonged there, he fitted right in and his mates were all beginning to feel respect for him. He didn't want to let them down, nor Regimental Sergeant Major Watson who had become a sort of a father figure to him. He had never looked up to a man before, and it felt so right. To have a good role-model in his life. But above all, John didn't want to disappoint his mother.
John took the letter on his bedside table. She had answered to his letter, beaming with pride for her son. She had told him that she always knew he was a kind soul and he was nothing like his father. Her son was a good man, and turning his life over had just proved her right.
He was still plunged in his thoughts when the nurse came to his bed.
"Private Bates?" she called him. "You have a visitor".
John, surprised, looked over her shoulder. He saw a man in uniform with a mustache and glasses coming towards him. A knot formed in his stomach. The thought of coming back to his old life almost made him sick.
"Good morning Private Bates," he said, making the salute. John quickly did the same. He was too nervous to even speak.
"I have been told your ankle was badly sprained. We cannot risk having you walk on it too soon, son."
John knew what would follow. It was inevitable. How would a bloke like him be admitted to his Majesty's army?
"I understand, sir", John began. "I will then pack my bags and go home."
"Go home?" a surprised Regimental Sergeant Major Watson asked. "Do you want to go home, Bates?"
John looked up in shock.
"No, sir. I'm eager to stay. Very eager indeed. But you said so yourself, I will never be able to be on my feet before two weeks, sir."
"That doesn't mean you have to pack and go home, son. You will leave with the group. You are a brilliant shooter, one of the finest I ever saw to tell you the truth, and I sense in you something special. We want you to join in the commando who's set to leave Friday. You'll have plenty of time recuperating on the way to South Africa. Nurse Wilton will pack your backs for you and will make sure you are fully recovered." He was beginning to head out when he turned around and looked at John with a smile. "I expect great things of you, son. Do not disappoint me." With that, Regimental Sergeant Major Watson left John and the nurse all alone once again in the infirmary.
"I see you have already finished your book. I have other ones on my desk if you'd like?", said the nurse while taking the brown book John had left on his bedside table.
Though John had lived a simple childhood, he had learned how to read and write thanks to his Irish Grandfather who was a very learned man. Since he was a little boy, John had loved to immerse himself in the stories and adventures such as Moby Dick.
"I'd very much like that. Thank you, Nurse Wilton".
She, too, walked away and left him alone. He listened until he couldn't hear the sound of her heels on the floor. He couldn't believe his luck. He was to stay and even better, he would be on the boat to South Africa in two days. All he had to do now was to be a good patient to Nurse Wilton and he'll be on the battlefield in no time.