I'll come with you."
"Listen, Otto. Don't you trouble—I like sleeping out— in warm weather.
I've dofte quite a bit of it lately."
"It's pretty wet."
"That's nothing.
I'll put up Karl's hood and sit there awhile."
"Very good.
I rather like sleeping out myself."
I saw there was no getting rid of him.
We gathered up a few blankets and cushions and went back to Karl.
We unlashed the cover and pushed back the seats.
One could lie quite comfortably so. "Better than at the Front sometimes," said Koster.
The bright patch of window glowed in the misty air.
From time to time I saw Jaffe's shadow move across it.
We smoked a packet of cigarettes.
At last the light was turned out and only the little night-light still burned.
"Thank God," said I.
The rain trickled off the hood.
A slight breeze was blowing.
It turned cooler.
"You can have my blanket if you like, Otto," said I.
"No—what do you think? I'm warm enough."
"Good sport, Jaffe, eh?"
"Yes. Clever, too, I believe."
"Sure."
I sat bolt upright out of a restless half-sleep.
It was grey and cold outside.
Koster was already awake.
"Haven't you slept, Otto?"
"Yes."
I climbed out of the car and went stealthily down the garden path to the window.
The little night-light was still burning.
I saw Pat lying in bed with closed eyes.
For a moment I was afraid she was dead. Then I saw her right hand move. She was very pale. But she was not bleeding any more.
Then again she made the same movement.
At the same moment Jaff6, who was in my bed, opened bis eyes.
I stepped back. I was reassured; he knew his job.
"I think we ought to shove off, Otto," said I to Koster; "he mustn't see we have been keeping a check on him."
"All in order inside?" asked Otto.
"So far as one can see.
He has the right sleep, the professor. Sleeps through a bombardment, but wakes if a mouse nibbles at his haversack."
"What do you say to a swim?" said Koster. "Wonderful air here." He stretched himself.
"You go," said I.
"Come on," he insisted.
The grey sky parted.
Streaks of orange-red light poured through.
The curtain of cloud lifted along the horizon, and beyond showed a clear apple-green.
We sprang into the water and swam.
The sea was grey and red.
Then we went back.