companion did not volunteer his in return, she had a little streak of obstinacy which made her determined not to inquire.[123] He evidently intended that she, also, should show sufficient interest to ask. And why, after all, should she wish to know?

[123]

Nevertheless, as they continued their walk, Nona began to be glad that Barbara had failed her. She was finding the afternoon more amusing than she had anticipated.

It was an exquisite summer day and the French landscape held a peculiar softness and beauty of form and color.

Perhaps it is well for us to recall now and then that nature has gone on with her same unchanging seasons of spring, summer, fall and winter for these past three years, when human nature has suffered such strange transformation. So Nona was glad to enjoy the landscape and her new acquaintance and to forget everything else for a little while.

She did not talk very much, just answered sympathetically. But she realized she was smiling more often than usual.

However, she did not observe that her companion kept his eyes upon her whenever it was possible without staring, and that he[124] not only did not seem interested, he seemed hardly conscious of the charm of the French country.

[124]

Nona had on the same white dress she had worn at Madame Bonnèt’s. When she was not at work she did not often go out of the hospital in her nurse’s uniform. This dress was cooler than most things she owned, and although perfectly simple, since Sonya had it made for her, it held the distinction which Sonya knew how to give to all clothes.

Nona looked frail and there was an added charm in her face. For the past three years she had seen so much heroism and so much suffering. Since she was fine and sensitive, the impressions were deeply implanted within her heart and mind. Then, although she had never spoken of the subject often, her own experience in Italy and Eugino Zoli’s gallant death had also left their impression. Whether she had cared for Eugino or not, at least Nona had determined that she would keep herself free from any such emotion again. Sonya would probably never marry and they would have each other.

[125]Nona was listening and thinking at the same time, as only girls and women can do, when she and her companion came to an abrupt pause.

[125]

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