Work, Chapter 16 summary

What happens

1. Christie rejoins Letty and David, whose renewed happiness reveals a playful energy and a desire for meaningful work.
2. War begins, and David helps soldiers while the women prepare supplies and struggle with the prospect of his enlistment.
3. David decides to serve, and Christie declares her own plan to nurse through Mrs. Amory’s help.
4. Mrs. Wilkins pushes Elisha toward enlistment, and seeing Hepsey’s freed mother finally moves him to act.
5. David receives departure orders, and Christie marries him in her nursing uniform before their brief farewell meal.
6. Christie watches David’s regiment march away and breaks into tears, sustained by her plan to follow.

In this chapter

What to notice

Christie refuses a purely waiting role. Her declaration makes service a shared commitment rather than David’s undertaking alone.

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