But millions of fools like you don't know it."
"You were sweet to tell me."
"We won't quarrel, baby.
I love you too much.
But don't be a fool."
"No.
I'll be wise like you."
"Don't be angry, baby.
Laugh.
Take a drink.
I must go, really."
"You're a good old boy."
"Now you see.
Underneath we are the same.
We are war brothers.
Kiss me good-by."
"You're sloppy."
"No.
I am just more affectionate."
I felt his breath come toward me.
"Good-by.
I come to see you again soon." His breath went away. "I won't kiss you if you don't want.
I'll send your English girl.
Good-by, baby.
The cognac is under the bed.
Get well soon."
He was gone.
11
It was dusk when the priest came.
They had brought the soup and afterward taken away the bowls and I was lying looking at the rows of beds and out the window at the tree-top that moved a little in the evening breeze.
The breeze came in through the window and it was cooler with the evening.
The flies were on the ceiling now and on the electric light bulbs that hung on wires.
The lights were only turned on when some one was brought in at night or when something was being done.
It made me feel very young to have the dark come after the dusk and then remain.
It was like being put to bed after early supper.
The orderly came down between the beds and stopped.
Some one was with him.
It was the priest.
He stood there small, brown-faced, and embarrassed.
"How do you do?" he asked.
He put some packages down by the bed, on the floor.
"All right, father."
He sat down in the chair that had been brought for Rinaldi and looked out of the window embarrassedly.
I noticed his face looked Very tired.
"I can only stay a minute," he said. "It is late."
"It's not late.
How is the mess?"
He smiled.
"I am still a great joke," he sounded tired too. "Thank God they are all well.
"I am so glad you are all right," he said. "I hope you don't suffer."