“I will, Monsieur Soyer; but first of all, I should advise you to see Lord William Paulet, Dr. Cumming, and the Purveyor-in-Chief, Mr. Milton.” “Many thanks for your kind advice. I had the pleasure of seeing Lord William yesterday, as well as Dr. Cumming. To Mr. Milton I shall pay my respects upon leaving you.” “You had better do so; for the principal part of your business you will have to transact with those gentlemen.” “A very excellent remark, which I shall not fail to attend to.” “Another gentleman you must see in the purveyor’s department, is Mr. Tucker. You will then be able to commence operations.” “Very true: I shall not think of commencing before I am well acquainted with every one in each department that has reference to the cooking. I shall submit every sample of diets, with a statement of the quantity and kind of ingredients of which they are composed, for the approval and opinion of the medical authorities; as I shall have to deal with patients, and not with epicures. “Perfectly right,” said Miss Nightingale. “That no time may be lost, I should very much like this afternoon to visit the kitchens now in use, inspect the stores, and procure a statement of the daily rations allowed to each patient, if I can have one of the inspectors to go round with me.” “Certainly you can; I will send for somebody who will be happy to accompany you.” “Perhaps you would favour us with your company, as I should be most happy to attend to any suggestion you might like to make.” “I will go with you with great pleasure; but here comes Doctor Macgregor, the under-superintendent, who will be our guide. He told me that he had met you before.” “Yes; we met yesterday at Lord William Paulet’s.” “Doctor,” said Miss Nightingale, “Monsieur Soyer wishes you to accompany him round the various kitchens and store-rooms.” “I will do that with the greatest pleasure; but he had better be introduced to Mr. Milton and to Mr. Tucker. Mr. Milton is out, but Mr. Tucker will do instead.”