She had not thought seriously about it at the time, as she had not really believed that anything could happen to Ben.  Now she thought about it for a long time, while trying to continue her duties.  There comes a time in the life of every human when he or she must decide to risk "his life, his fortune, and his sacred honor" on an outcome dubious.  Those who fail the challenge are merely overgrown children, can never be anything else.  Jill Boardman encountered her personal challenge - and accepted it - at 3:47 that afternoon while convincing a ward visitor that he simply could not bring a dog onto the floor even though he had managed to slip it past the receptionist and even if the sight of this dog was just what the patient needed.