Ow many more soldiers can we take? They’ve bin pourin’ in... all last night and all today.

At least I’ve ‘ad some sleep. Miss Nightingale ‘asn’t ‘ad any.

This is the last of the bags of straw. From now on the men will ‘ave to lie on bare boards in the corridor.

T’is ‘opeless. Some of the men ain’t bin seen by a doctor since they got ‘ere last night.

This place is heavin’ wiv creepy crawlin’ things... and teemin’ wiv rats. I saw the Reverend Osbourne kneel down to take a dyin’ man’s last message, bless ‘is soul, and when ‘e got up, the piece of paper he’d bin writin’ on was alive wiv lice.

Sally you’re startin’ to make me itch. (Starts scratching herself) If only we ‘ad pillas and blankets to make ‘em more comfortable.

D’you know?... I think it’s disgustin’... them doctors is operatin’ on a lot of soldiers right in front of all the other wounded. In full view.

They’re not are they?! Bad enough ‘earing their screams... but to ‘ave to watch ‘em as well.

I found a broken screen and put it around the operatin’ table.

Call that an operatin’ table! It’s nothin’ but a board on two pieces of wood.

Where would they ‘ave put their boots? They’ve all got bare feet. I wouldn’t walk about in that filth... not with nothin’ on me feet that is. There’s a dead sheep lyin’ in one ward. (Enter FLO)

There’s no time to waste. Yet another boat full of injured soldiers needs your attention. Please go straight to the wards and see what help you can offer.

(Exit MEG, SALLY and EMMA. Enter MR WARD)

Miss Nightingale. We are desperately short of stores of every kind. Virtually every ship was destroyed during that terrible storm last night. The largest ship The Prince, was loaded with warm winter clothing and stores. It also sank.

Do come to the point Mister Ward.
You could help us out with your source of money. You have the authority to spend it.

It was only yesterday Mister Ward, that I had the distinct impression you weren’t interested in my stores. However, if you are prepared to make out a requisition, I will see what I can do to try and buy the items locally.

We need plates, cups, knives, forks, spoons, towels, soap...

A moment. Please... please... Make out a list and I will try to arrange things for you. In future, I will find out each day what is lacking in your store and will attempt to make the necessary purchases for you. And whilst I do have your attention Mister Ward, I would like to raise the matter of clearing away the filth in the wards and washing the men’s clothing. I would discuss things further with you but I think the new arrivals demand our attention, don’t you? Shall we go?

(Exit FLO and MR WARD mumbling incoherently under his breath)