Árdís - 01.01.1955, Side 26

24
ÁRDÍ S
was satisfied with life for the first time. Of course, she was more
desolate than ever upon reaching home again. After a time
resentment faded and changed into the iron will for which she
became noted and which so many learned to fear and respect.
From now on her life took on a new purpose. She enrolled
as a student nurse at Kaiserwerth where she enjoyed even the
hard work. Her family, however, made one final attempt to dis-
suade her, they nagged her, ridiculed her, and worried her, treated
her as one in disgrace, and tried even to turn her friends against
her. This sadistic treatment matured and aged her while it calmed
her and finally convinced her that her mother’s concern was not
for her but for the family prestige! To her rescue came her aunt,
Mrs. Samuel Smith, and her loyal friend Mrs. Bracebridge. Mrs.
Nightingale reluctantly gave permission for Florence to persue a
philanthropic career because she had become too old to consider
marriage.
She wrote and published a religious work in three volumes
called Suggestions for Thought, but it was not a success. She now
turned her attention to the appalling conditions of the poor working
class and noted their lack of religious faith. Oddly, she was fired
with a desire to give them a new religion when one might imagine
she would want to better their living conditions.
She went to Ireland to visit hospitals there. These disappointed
her. She returned to nurse her sister Parthe. Then, much against
her will, Mrs. Nightingale gave her permission to see the work
of the Sisters of Mercy in France. Little by little the mother was
learning to see what tremendous strength of character and purpose
Florence possessed and reluctantly had to admit defeat. She fer-
vently hoped that her daughter might organize a genteel nursing
home so she still might reside at home. This, however, was not well
received.
By the end of 1852 Florence was free from parental domination
and was no longer affected by the persecution complex inflicted
upon her by her mother and sister. Her mind was made up. She
now became superintendent of a Hospital for Governesses. Next she
went to the King’s College Hospital.
By this time the Crimean War was raging and stories of the