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Margaret was sitting with Charles in the mess tent, having coffee.
"The Colonel makes this coffee so strong, you'd think a spoon would melt," Margaret said.
"Perhaps that spoon would be lucky," Charles replied, "In Boston, our Butler made coffee and tea every morning. It was a wonderful way to start the morning."
"Maybe you could get your Butler assigned here," Margare laughed.
"Do not think, Margaret, that such an idea hasn't passed my thoughts," Winchester grinned, "Unfortunately, he's just a tad to tall to put in an envelope."
"How is Private Francis doing? He didn't have a fever when I checked on him just before I came here," Margaret noted.
"Private John Francis had three bullets in his chest. Fortunately, I was the surgeon and we got all three and managed to patch him up. However, we need to monitor him. I have a concern about sepsis," Charles responded.
"I heard that he'd held off a half dozen North Koreans so his CO, and three privates could escape the trap. Brave man," Margaret stated.
Charles replied that the CO, Major Hillis, had put Francis in for a Purple Heart. He'd already earned another. Because the wound had been serious, he would either go to Seoul to recuperate or be sent home. Major Hillis was hoping Private Francis could go home. He'd stated that the young man from Cranberry Township, PA had done more than enough.
Colonel Flagg sat next to Margaret and across from Charles.
"I saw that private," Flagg began, "Nothing new there. Give him three or four weeks and he'll be ready to rejoin his unit."
"Colonel," Margaret queried, "What are you basing your decision on?"
"I've seen plenty of so called wounded in worse shape who were back on duty very quickly," Flagg noted.
"Colonel," Charles stated, "It is not our job to repair the wounded so that they all can rejoin the Army. Most do, but we look at each patient on an individual basis. Our first obligation is to make certain they are alive – not to send them through like they were going through a car wash – all polished and ready to go,"
Flagg responded, "We can't just let soldiers go because they are slightly injured."
"Colonel Flagg, You are in no position to make that kind of statement. Margaret and I are trained, experienced medical professionals. The OR is not for recruiting. I suspect your medical knowledge is quite paltry at best," Charles answered.
"I am not going to waste my time with your excuses; I can do that somewhere else,: Flagg stormed out.
Margaret looked at Flagg's rapid departure. She was glad to watch.
Colonel Potter joined them for a cup of coffee.
"Flagg bothering either of you?" Potter asked.
"He is a mini-tyrant with a one track mind," Charles answered.
"And he's gone off the rails." Potter stated, "He told me he was looking for leads to the Black Market. I told him we don't do much in that area, but he intends to find out.'
"When he finds nothing, which I am quite certain of, he'll claim that the conspiracy is so deep, he could not find it," Winchester commented.
"I heard from ICOR, Potter began, "In two days they will be launching a major offensive. We'll be quite busy."
"Peace doesn't last very long here, " Margaret remarked.
"Very true, Major, very true," responded Colonel Potter.