At the last of these visits the doctor told Vincent that he considered he was nearly sufficiently restored in health to be able to start on their journey.
"It is a much better job than I had expected it would turn out.Iwas almost afraid that your shoulder would never be quite square again.However, as you can see for yourself it has come out quite right; and although I should not advise you to put any great strain on your left arm, I believe that in a very short time it will be as strong as the other.""And now, doctor, what am I in debt to you? Your kindness cannot be repaid, but your medical bill I will discharge as soon as I get home.We have not more than twenty dollars left between us, which is little enough for the journey there is before us.You can rely that the instant I get to Richmond I will send you the money.
There is no great difficulty in smuggling letters across the frontier.""I am very pleased to have been able to be of service to you," the doctor said."I should not think of accepting payment for aid rendered to an officer of our army; but it will give me real pleasure to receive a letter saying you have reached home in safety.It is a duty to do all we can for the brave men fighting for our cause.As I have told you, I am not a very hot partisan, for I see faults on both sides.Still, I believe in the principle of our forefathers, that each State has its own government and is master of its own army, joining with the others for such purposes as it may think fit.If Ihad been a fighting man I should certainly have joined the army of my State; but as it is, I hope I can do more good by staying and giving such aid and comfort as I can to my countrymen.You will, I am sure, excuse my saying that I think you must let me aid you a little further.I understand you to say that Miss Kingston will go to friends in Georgia, and I suppose you will see her safely there.
