1910s: Alice returns to university and Anna volunteers as a nurse

 

The new year starts with a birthday and the announcement of a new child. Madison, daughter of Ida and Nathaniel, was born on New Years Day, five years ago and so it's time for her to age up to a child. With all the family gatherings over the last week both Ida and Nathaniel are a bit tired of big parties, especially since Ida is pregnant again. But they do invite grandma and grandpa, and therefore everyone one else who lives in the household. It's smaller, but still a big gathering. Madison is pleased however. Ida is mostly pleased when everyone goes home so she can get some rest. This third pregnancy is tough on her. But she cannot wait to meet her new baby. Austen is born two days later.

One who did not make the party, was Alice. She instead was on a train bringing her back to Britechester and back to Elizabeth. Lizzie was eager to greet her when she returned, but as usual, there were people around so as much as Alice wanted to leap into her arms and kiss her madly, a hug would have to do. Later that night, as they sat in the study room doing their homework, Alice couldn't wait for the two of them to be truly alone. This waiting and being patient part is hard, but what to do when what you most want in live is not only frowned upon, but actually illegal?

The very next morning, Anna headed into Newcrest and into the recruitment office that has been set up at city hall. She met with a very young recruiter, who told her the requirements and gave her her new clothes and took her picture.

When she came home, wearing her new uniform, her mother was less than impressed. In truth, she was terrified. Her beloved daughter going off into a war zone? But of course it ended with an argument. "Forget it! You're not going! I won't allow it!" 

"You can't stop me, I'm an adult woman and it's my life!" 

Joseph too is scared, but mostly sad, and instead of yelling like Abigail does, he pleads, but this too falls on deaf ears. "I need to do something. I yearn to help. It is not possible for me to sit idly by, father!" Anna explains as she comforts him and explains why she absolutely has to go. There is nothing either parent can do. Anna has made up her mind, and all they can do now, is pray for her safety. 

Anna ships off the very next morning, first to Canada for her training (which is next to nothing), then to the small French town of Glimmerbrook to serve at an evacuation "hospital", which is little less than a tent in a ruin in a town that has seen heavy shelling in the last few months. But none of this is known to her yet, as she writes to her sister in anticipation: 

Dearest Alice, 

 I should have told you I was leaving, but I did not want anything to disrupt your studies, but now I am on route to Canada for my training. My imagination has caught fire. I visualize myself driving an ambulance along the line of battle, aiding and comforting the wounded, or kneeling beside wounded men and nursing them back to health. 

I realise my imagination is likely running away with me, but I cannot help it. For the first time in my life I feel as if I am doing something worth while. Something that matters, that will make a difference. And as brave men are dying in pain, how can I not offer what I know to relieve their suffering? 

I will write to you as often as I can, but expect letters to take longer to reach you. I miss you. I love you. I wish you were here. 

Your loving sister, 

Anna 

Glimmerbrook in the midst of war (all buildings are found on the gallery, including the field hospital and the bombed out one in the middle. The three houses (as they soon will be for real), were intact in the gallery, I just wrecked one of them):