thought of that. Of course I recognize you as one of the nurses at the American hospitals which Madame Castaigne has in charge. I know her, or at least I know her slightly. She is rather splendid, isn’t she? As a matter of fact, the American newspaper correspondents have had a château turned over to their use not far from the American camp. Just at present I am sending a little story of our Expeditionary[121] Force back to the papers each day. It is rather difficult writing, since we are not allowed to tell anything that is worth while.”

[121]

Nona was hardly aware that she and her companion had, by this time, turned and were walking along side by side in the direction from which she had just come. She had certainly never given her consent to being accompanied by him, although neither had she refused it.

But she was entertained. It might be disloyalty and one would never confess it aloud, but Nona was interested to talk occasionally to some man who was not a soldier. It was not that military men were not interesting, but merely that one enjoyed variety. She could scarcely imagine a soldier with the unfortunate stoop this young man had, nor with his unconventional manner.

Yet, almost instantly, Nona had felt that she liked him, although she did not ordinarily enjoy too great unconventionality. This was probably due to her southern rearing.

[122]However, she decided immediately that it would be of interest to hear a number of things her present companion must know. After having seen so many different phases of the war, if he were clever, he must give one a broader outlook on the entire subject.

[122]

Then Nona suddenly remembered that before she began trying to acquire outside information it might be just as well for her to find out her companion’s name. Yet she did not like deliberately to ask him.

“I wonder if you would mind telling me your name?” an agreeable masculine voice inquired at this instant. “Even if I do know that you are one of the American Red Cross nurses it is extremely important to me to hear which one.”

Nona flushed slightly, although biting her lips to hide a faint smile. But after all it was agreeable to have all of one’s thoughts anticipated before one was able to speak.

However, Nona gave her name; there was really nothing else to do. But since her 

 Prev. P 52/113 next