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〃It　is　used；〃　the　woman　said。　〃It　belonged　to　an　officer　who　was　an　excellent　shot。〃
〃Did　you　sell　it　to　him？〃
〃Yes。〃
〃How　did　you　get　it　back？〃
〃From　his　orderly。〃
〃Maybe　you　have　mine；〃　I　said。　〃How　much　is　this？〃
〃Fifty　lire。　It　is　very　cheap。〃
〃All　right。　I　want　two　extra　clips　and　a　box　of　cartridges。〃
She　brought　them　from　under　the　counter。
〃Have　you　any　need　for　a　sword？〃　she　asked。　〃I　have　some　used　swords　very　cheap。〃
〃I'm　going　to　the　front；〃　I　said。
〃Oh　yes；　then　you　won't　need　a　sword；〃　she　said。
I　paid　for　the　cartridges　and　the　pistol；　filled　the　magazine　and　put　it　in　place；　put　the　pistol　in　my　empty　holster；　filled　the　extra　clips　with　cartridges　and　put　them　in　the　leather　slots　on　the　holster　and　then　buckled　on　my　belt。　The　pistol　felt　heavy　on　the　belt。　Still；　I　thought；　it　was　better　to　have　a　regulation　pistol。　You　could　always　get　shells。
〃Now　we're　fully　armed；〃　I　said。　〃That　was　the　one　thing　I　had　to　remember　to　do。　Some　one　got　my　other　one　going　to　the　hospital。〃
〃I　hope　it's　a　good　pistol；〃　Catherine　said。
〃Was　there　anything　else？〃　the　woman　asked。
〃I　don't　believe　so。〃
〃The　pistol　has　a　lanyard；〃　she　said。
〃So　I　noticed。〃
The　woman　wanted　to　sell　something　else。
〃You　don't　need　a　whistle？〃
〃I　don't　believe　so。〃
The　woman　said　good…by　and　we　went　out　onto　the　sidewalk。　Catherine　looked　in　the　window。　The　woman　looked　out　and　bowed　to　us。
〃What　are　those　little　mirrors　set　in　wood　for？〃
〃They're　for　attracting　birds。　They　twirl　them　out　in　the　field　and　larks　see　them　and　e　out　and　the　Italians　shoot　them。〃
〃They　are　an　ingenious　people；〃　Catherine　said。　〃You　don't　shoot　larks　do　you；　darling；　in　America？〃
〃Not　especially。〃
We　crossed　the　street　and　started　to　walk　up　the　other　side。
〃I　feel　better　now；〃　Catherine　said。　〃I　felt　terrible　when　we　started。〃
〃We　always　feel　good　when　we're　together。〃
〃We　always　will　be　together。〃
〃Yes；　except　that　I'm　going　away　at　midnight。〃
〃Don't　think　about　it；　darling。〃
We　walked　on　up　the　street。　The　fog　made　the　lights　yellow。
〃Aren't　you　tired？〃　Catherine　asked。
〃How　about　you？〃
〃I'm　all　right。　It's　fun　to　walk。〃
〃But　let's　not　do　it　too　long。〃
〃No。〃
We　turned　down　a　side　street　where　there　were　no　lights　and　walked　in　the　street。　I　stopped　and　kissed　Catherine。　While　I　kissed　her　I　felt　her　hand　on　my　shoulder。　She　had　pulled　my　cape　around　her　so　it　covered　both　of　us。　We　were　standing　in　the　street　against　a　high　wall。
〃Let's　go　some　place；〃　I　said。
〃Good；〃　said　Catherine。　We　walked　on　along　the　street　until　it　came　out　onto　a　wider　street　that　was　beside　a　canal。　On　the　other　side　was　a　brick　wall　and　buildings。　Ahead；　down　the　street；　I　saw　a　streetcar　cross　a　bridge。
〃We　can　get　a　cab　up　at　the　bridge；〃　I　said。　We　stood　on　the　bridge　in　the　fog　waiting　for　a　carriage。　Several　streetcars　passed；　full　of　people　going　home。　Then　a　carriage　came　along　but　there　was　some　one　in　it。　The　fog　was　turning　to　rain。
〃We　could　walk　or　take　a　tram；〃　Catherine　said。
〃One　will　be　along；〃　I　said。　〃They　go　by　here。〃
〃Here　one　es；〃　she　said。
The　driver　stopped　his　horse　and　lowered　the　metal　sign　on　his　meter。　The　top　of　the　carriage　was　up　and　there　were　drops　of　water　on　the　driver's　coat。　His　varnished　hat　was　shining　in　the　wet。　We　sat　back　in　the　seat　together　and　the　top　of　the　carriage　made　it　dark。
〃Where　did　you　tell　him　to　go？〃
〃To　the　station。　There's　a　hotel　across　from　the　station　where　we　can　go。〃
〃We　can　go　the　way　we　are？　Without　luggage？〃
〃Yes；〃　I　said。
It　was　a　long　ride　to　the　station　up　side　streets　in　the　rain。
〃Won't　we　have　dinner？〃　Catherine　asked。　〃I'm　afraid　I'll　be　hungry。〃
〃We'll　have　it　in　our　room。〃
〃I　haven't　anything　to　wear。　I　haven't　even　a　night…gown。〃
〃We'll　get　one；〃　I　said　and　called　to　the　driver。
〃Go　to　the　Via　Manzoni　and　up　that。〃　He　nodded　and　turned　off　to　the　left　at　the　next　corner。　On　the　big　street　Catherine　watched　for　a　shop。
〃Here's　a　place；〃　she　said。　I　stopped　the　driver　and　Catherine　got　out；　walked　across　the　sidewalk　and　went　inside。　I　sat　back　in　the　carriage　and　waited　for　her。　It　was　raining　and　I　could　smell　the　wet　street　and　the　horse　steaming　in　the　rain。　She　came　back　with　a　package　and　got　in　and　we　drove　on。
〃I　was　very　extravagant；　darling；〃　she　said；　〃but　it's　a　fine　night…gown。〃
At　the　hotel　I　asked　Catherine　to　wait　in　the　carriage　while　I　went　in　and　spoke　to　the　manager。　There　were　plenty　of　rooms。　Then　I　went　out　to　the　carriage；　paid　the　driver；　and　Catherine　and　I　walked　in　together。　The　small　boy　in　buttons　carried　the　package。
The　manager　bowed　us　toward　the　elevator。　There　was　much　red　plush　and　brass。　The　manager　went　up　in　the　elevator　with　us。
〃Monsieur　and　Madame　wish　dinner　in　their　rooms？〃
〃Yes。　Will　you　have　the　menu　brought　up？〃　I　said。
〃You　wish　something　special　for　dinner。　Some　game　or　a　souffl？〃
The　elevator　passed　three　floors　with　a　click　each　time；　then　clicked　and　stopped。
〃What　have　you　as　game？〃
〃I　could　get　a　pheasant；　or　a　woodcock。〃
〃A　woodcock；〃　I　said。　We　walked　down　the　corridor。　The　carpet　was　worn。　There　were　many　doors。　The　manager　stopped　and　unlocked　a　door　and　opened　it。
〃Here　you　are。　A　lovely　room。〃
The　small　boy　in　buttons　put　the　package　on　the　table　in　the　centre　of　the　room。　The　manager　opened　the　curtains。
〃It　is　foggy　outside；〃　he　said。　The　room　was　furnished　in　red　plush。　There　were　many　mirrors；　two　chairs　and　a　large　bed　with　a　satin　coverlet。　A　door　led　to　the　bathroom。
〃I　will　send　up　the　menu；〃　the　manager　said。　He　bowed　and　went　out。
I　went　to　the　window　and　looked　out；　then　pulled　a　cord　that　shut　the　thick　plush　curtains。　Catherine　was　sitting　on　the　bed；　looking　at　the　cut　glass　chandelier。　She　had　taken　her　hat　off　and　her　hair　shone　under　the　light。　She　saw　herself　in　one　of　the　mirrors　and　put　her　hands　to　her　hair。　I　saw　her　in　three　other　mirrors。　She　did　not　look　happy。　She　let　her　cape　fall　on　the　bed。
〃What's　the　matter；　darling？〃
〃I　never　felt　like　a　whore　before；〃　she　said。　I　went　over　to　the　window　and　pulled　the　curtain　aside　and　looked　out。　I　had　not　thought　it　would　be　like　this。
〃You're　not　a　whore。〃
〃I　know　it；　darling。　But　it　isn't　nice　to　feel　like　one。〃　Her　voice　was　dry　and　flat。
〃This　was　the　best　hotel　we　could　get　in；〃　I　said。　I　looked　out　the　window。　Across　the　square　were　the　lights　of　the　station。　There　were　carriages　going　by　on　the　street　and　I　saw　the　trees　in　the　park。　The　lights　from　the　hotel　shone　on　the　wet　pavement。　Oh；　hell；　I　thought；　do　we　have　to　argue　now？
〃e　over　here　please；〃　Catherine　said。　The　flatness　was　all　gone　out　of　her　voice。　〃e　over；　please。　I'm　a　good　girl　again。〃　I　looked　over　at　the　bed。　She　was　smiling。
I　went　over　and　sat　on　the　bed　beside　her　and　kissed　her。
〃You're　my　good　girl。〃
〃I'm　certainly　yours；〃　she　said。
After　we　had　eaten　we　felt　fine；　and　then　after；　we　felt　very　happy　and　in　a　little　time　the　room　felt　like　our　own　home。　My　room　at　the　hospital　had　been　our　own　home　and　this　room　was　our　home　too　in　the　same　way。
Catherine　wore　my　tunic　over　her　shoulders　while　we　ate。　We　were　very　hungry　and　the　meal　was　good　and　we　drank　a　bottle　of　Capri　and　a　bottle　of　St。　Estephe。　I　drank　most　of　it　but　Catherine　drank　some　and　it　made　her　feel　splendid。　For　dinner　we　had　a　woodcock　with　souffl？potatoes　and　pur閑　de　marron；　a　salad；　and　zabaione　for　dessert。
〃It's　a　fine　room；〃　Catherine　said。　〃It's　a　lovely　room。　We　should　have　stayed　here　all　the　time　we've　been　in　Milan。〃
〃It's　a　funny　room。　But　it's　nice。〃
〃Vice　is　a　wonderful　thing；〃　Catherine　said。　〃The　people　who　go　in　for　it　seem　to　have　good　taste　about　it。　The　red　plush　is　really　fine。　It's　just　the　thing。　And　the　mirrors　are　very　attractive。〃
〃You're　a　lovely　girl。〃
〃I　don't　know　how　a　room　like　this　would　be　for　waking　up　in　the　morning。　But　it's　really　a　splendid　room。〃　I　poured　another　glass　of　St。　Estephe。
〃I　wish　we　could　do　something　really　sinful；〃　Catherine　said。　〃Everything　we　do　seems　so　innocent　and　simple。　I　can't　believe　we　do　anything　wrong。〃
〃You're　a　grand　girl。〃
〃I　only　feel　hungry。　I　get　terribly　hungry。〃
〃You're　a　fine　simple　girl；〃　I　said。
〃I　am　a　simple　girl。　No　one　ever　understood　it　except　you。〃
〃Once　when　I　first　met　you　I　spent　an　afternoon　thinking　how　we　would　go　to　the　Hotel　Cavour　together　and　how　it　would　be。〃
〃That　was　awfully　cheeky　of　you。　This　isn't　the　Cavour　is　it？〃
〃No。　They　wouldn't　have　taken　us　in　there。〃
〃They'll　take　us　in　some　time。　But　that's　how　we　differ；　darling。　I　never　thought　about　anything。〃
〃Didn't　you　ever　at　all？〃
〃A　little；〃　she　said。
〃Oh　you're　a　lovely　girl。〃
I　poured　another　glass　of　wine。
〃I'm　a　very　simple　girl；〃　Catherine　said。
〃I　didn't　think　so　at　first。　I　thought　you　were　a　crazy　girl。〃
〃I　was　a　little　crazy。　But　I　wasn't　crazy　in　any　plicated　manner。　I　didn't　confuse　you　did　I；　darling？〃
〃Wine　is　a　grand　thing；〃　I　said。　〃It　makes　you　forget　all　the　bad。〃
〃It's　lovely；〃　said　Catherine。　〃But　it's　given　my　father　gout　very　badly。〃
〃Have　you　a　father？〃
〃Yes；〃　said　Catherine。　〃He　has　gout。　You　won't　ever　have　to　meet　him。　Haven't　you　a　father？〃
〃No；〃　I　said。　〃A　step…father。〃
〃Will　I　like　him？〃
〃You　won't　have　to　meet　him。〃
〃We　have　such　a　fine　time；〃　Catherine　said。　〃I　don't　take　any　interest　in　anything　else　any　more。　I'm　so　very　happy　married　to　you。〃
The　waiter　came　and　took　away　the　things。　After　a　while　we　were　very　still　and　we　could　hear　the　rain。　Down　below　on　the　street　a　motor　car　honked。
〃'But　at　my　back　I　always　hear　Time's　winged　chariot　hurrying　near；'　〃　I　said。
〃I　know　that　poem；〃　Catherine　said。　〃It's　by　Marvell。　But　it's　about　a　girl　who　wouldn't　live　with　a　man。〃
My　head　felt　very　clear　and　cold　and　I　wanted　to　talk　facts。
〃Where　will　you　have　the　baby？〃
〃I　don't　know。　The　best　place　I　can　find。〃
〃How　will　you　arrange　it？〃
〃The　best　way　I　can。　Don't　worry；　darling。　We　may　have　several　babies　before　the　war　is　over。〃
〃It's　nearly　time　to　go。〃
〃I　know。　You　can　make　it　time　if　you　want。〃
〃No。〃
〃Then　don't　worry；　darling。　You　were　fine　until　now　and　now　you're　worrying。〃
〃I　won't。　How　often　will　you　write？〃
〃Every　day。　Do　they　read　your　letters？〃
〃They　can't　read　English　enough　to　hurt　any。〃
〃I'll　make　them　very　confusing；〃　Catherine　said。
〃But　not　too　confusing。〃
〃I'll　just　make　them　a　little　confusing。〃
〃I'm　afraid　we　have　to　start　to　go。〃
〃All　right；　darling。〃
〃I　hate　to　leave　our　fine　house。〃
〃So　do　I。〃
〃But　we　have　to　go。〃
〃All　right。　But　we're　never　settled　in　our　home　very　long。〃
〃We　will　be。〃
〃I'll　have　a　fine　home　for　you　when　you　e　back。〃
〃Maybe　I'll　be　back　right　away。〃
〃Perhaps　you'll　be　hurt　just　a　little　in　the　foot。〃
〃Or　the　lobe　of　the　ear。〃
〃No　I　want　your　ears　the　way　they　are。〃
〃And　not　my　feet？〃
〃Your　feet　have　been　hit　already。〃
〃We　have　to　go；　darling。　Really。〃
〃All　right。　You　go　first。〃




24


We　walked　down　the　stairs　instead　of　taking　the　elevator。　The　carpet　on　the　stairs　was　worn。　I　had　paid　for　the　dinner　when　it　came　up　and　the　waiter；　who　had　brought　it；　was　sitting　on　a　chair　near　the　door。　He　jumped　up　and　bowed　and　I　went　with　him　into　the　side　room　and　paid　the　bill　for　the　room。　The　manager　had　remembered　me　as　a　friend　and　refused　payment　in　advance　but　when　he　retired　he　had　remembered　to　have　the　waiter　stationed　at　the　door　so　that　I　should　not　get　out　without　paying。　I　suppose　that　had　happened；　even　with　his　friends。　One　had　so　many　friends　in　a　war。
I　asked　the　waiter　to　get　us　a　carriage　and　he　took　Catherine's　package　that　I　was　carrying　and　went　out　with　an　umbrella。　Outside　through　the　window　we　saw　him　crossing　the　street　in　the　rain。　We　stood　in　the　side　room　and　looked　out　the　window。
〃How　do　you　feel；　Cat？〃
〃Sleepy。〃
〃I　feel　hollow　and　hungry。〃
〃Have　you　anything　to　eat？〃
〃Yes；　in　my　musette。〃
I　saw　the　carriage　ing。　It　stopped；　the　horse's　head　hanging　in　the　rain；　and　the　waiter　stepped　out；　opened　his　umbrella；　and　came　toward　the　hotel。　We　met　him　at　the　door　and　walked　out　under　the　umbrella　down　the　wet　walk　to　the　carriage　at　the　curb。　Water　was　running　in　the　gutter。
〃There　is　your　package　on　the　seat；〃　the　wa