You know the attitude? 'If there is
future life, we shall be glad to explore, and if there isn't, we shall
be content to sleep!'
"But since I have been over here, I have carried a little prayer-book,
and I've read things to the men, and when I have come to that part
'Gladly to die--that we may rise again,' I have known that it is true,
Captain--"
He laid his hand over hers. "May I have your prayer-book in exchange
for mine?" He was very serious. With all his heart he loved her, and
never more than at this moment when she had thrown aside all reserves
and had let him see her soul.
She drew the little book from her pocket. It was bound in red leather,
with a thin black cross on the cover. His own was in khaki.
"I want something else," he said, as he held the book in his hand.
"What?"
"This." He touched a lock of hair which lay against her cheek. "A bit
of it--of you--"
A band of _poilus_--marching through the street, saw him cut it off.
But they did not laugh. They had great respect for a thing like
that--and it happened every day--when men went away from their women.
They separated with a promise of perhaps a reunion in Paris, if he
could get leave and if she could be spared.
Pages:
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360