La Cruz de Hierro (The Iron Cross), Marsden Hartley, 1915

Sub-Lieutenant Anne was tasked to lead her elementary school class up the hill. She blew her whistle and over the top they went, but before too long she heard the cries of “Nurse! I need to go see the nurse!” Her ranks had been decimated and she felt bad about that, but later when she checked in with the old sawbones she was surprised to learn that her casualty list was actually much lighter than normal, “Most days this class fills my sick bay.” Anne was unwilling to grant absences for nonexistent symptoms like, “I have a owie and I need a Band-Aid.” Like there wasn’t even a red spot. Suck it up kid, don’t you know that there is an education going on? Sub-Lt Anne then had to deal with insubordination within the ranks. After Sally and her mom had left, because of real previous injuries, Amy approached Anne about her. Sally had been annoying. She had been annoying for weeks. Why this was just being brought to Anne’s attention, even after Sally had left for the day still remains a mystery. Needless to say, Anne blew her whistle again and ordered Amy and the rest of them over the top again. After all, there is an education going on.