The Romantic

the commandant's mind. He had been trying to persuade himself that John was no good, because, from the minute he had seen him with his ambulance on the wharf at

going up to wounds and death, turned to look at this creature of superb and brilliant life. Even on the boat he must have had a dreadful wonder whether John was bound for Ghent; he must have known from the beginning that whe

himself that would open McCl

thing going on inside people, then, all the things he didn't want to see; he wouldn't miss anything, and he would know all the time what John was li

have to stay at the end of the village with their cars. The three were drawn up at the street side, close under the house wal

e others. He had his hand beside her han

ld take me with

re, all chauffeurs t

notted and twitche

arlie, you'll

John, I don't really.

nd down the road she could see he was uneasy. "If you could have st

's got to

smiled. "Jeanne," he

ot

y were

does cover Gwinnie's

e said a

must go now. They're co

ack. She was aware of Mrs. Rankin and two of the McClane men with stretchers, passing; she could see Mrs. Rank

't think whether they're coming back or not.... They don't think at

and carry Mrs. Rankin

w

e Bartrum; then the McClane men; they nodded to her and smiled. Then McClane, late, running, trying to overtake John and Mrs

eep him out. When it came to action they were one corps; they couldn't very well be divided, since McClane had more men than stretchers and John had

, would have taken their fine Roden cars from them; he would have taken Sutton. She

ght be killed. They said McClane didn't look after his women. He didn't care how they exposed themselves to the firing; he took them into unnecessary danger. He didn't care. He was utterly cold, utterly indifferent

s. Rankin between them on a stretcher. That was

er; the thought of it moved in secret behind all their other thoughts. From the moment, just passed, when they held each other's hands she knew that John loved

didn't know. Perhaps it had gone on all the time; but i

y looked at her and smiled, a flashing of bright eyes and teeth

hit." She said to herself, If I think about it I shall feel quite jumpy. It was one thing to go tearing along between two booming batteries, in excitement, with an end in view, and quite another thing to sit tight and still o

ree. They had been waiting forty minutes, then. She got

*

g forms. White bandages. The wounded who c

harlotte. The red had gone from her s

way and Sutty. And Trixie and Mac. They mayn't be

wa

loaded, had driven off a

before John appeare

sharply to her to get down and

. Rankin wer

it in at the bott

st cases mus

retcher while John heaved at the foot. He staggered as he moved, and his face was sallow-white an

rt?" she

hurt," said

, I m

orted. "You'd

to get out of the sight and sound of her. He went with an

arlie. We've got to wai

awkwardly into th

said, "are

something. That's why I could

*

She heard Mrs. Rankin and Sutton talking on the bal

ose it was then?"

I don't know. Som

set like that every tim

she knew they were

e, we haven't le

esn't

ared with disgust at the remains of

t been sleeping properly.

m in bed for the du

talking a

ar

eastly battlefield. It's all very well for you two; you're a trained nurs

said Mr

as perfectly all

n't see there was any danger. You could

nd if I coul

th your tea. You'll be sent out ag

on was standing beside her n

ea's all stewed and cold. I

, fragrant China

up. "I think I'll ta

. He got up and opened the doors for her,

a. He said he was all right now. No. He hadn't ruptured anything; he only

nd drawn. Something must have happened out

ish I'd gone with you

all right when you're with me, and ev

you mean

ghtly, as a sign for her to sto

ly come for my coat and my case. I'

rs of blood on the sleeves and breast. He groped about the

nkin any good?" sh

sed his eyes as if to

Ran

he said, "about th

ned abruptly f

was magnificent. So wa

lan

is eyes. "So

s face was hidden by the raised lid as he peered, exami

e room Charlott

il

el

noiseless course

" she said. "

tend not to u

Mrs. Rankin didn't hit it

Her feet went fast and noiseless beside his as he hurried to the operating theatre. T

u mean, hi

come up quick enough with a stre

beat. Done. Could

se she could. She

s. Rankin was back safe she hat

. All the same," he s

ly stood in it, staring at Sutton's back, obsequious, yet impa

eep them waiti

dly. His chin was on a level with the floor when h

wed him out to near him say tha

tte is?" Mrs. Rankin's voice called out, "I think you'll find her in Mr. Conway'

t. She was excited, sha

got something ripping t

nately round each other's waists, into their

t frightfully plea

hink they'

t. He's pleas

M

u did there. And your

old yo

g about you last night. It means you'll be sent ou

I suppose," she added, "that's wha

the matter with Billy Sutton too;

"'C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas-la Croix Rouge.' If you're a

n't make it sound as