"Just let me look at you--and----" he hesitated.
"And what?" "And cook some doughnuts."
"Why, of course!" said the girls cheerily, "but you must lie down and
sleep awhile first. We'll fix a place for you."
"I don't want to lie down," said the soldier determinedly, "I don't want
to waste the time."
"But it wouldn't be wasted. You need the sleep."
"No, that isn't what I need. I want to look at you," he reiterated. "I've
got a wife and a little baby at home, and I love them. I like to be here
because seeing you takes me back to them. This morning I knew I ought to
sleep, but I just couldn't go over the top tonight without seeing you
again. That's why I want to see you and fry a few doughnuts for you. It
takes me back to them."
He finished with a far-away look in his eyes. He was not thinking what
impression his words would make, his thoughts were with his wife and
little baby.
He worked around for a couple of hours, saying very little, but seeming
quite content. Then he looked at his watch and said it was time to go, as
it was quite a walk back to his company. Just so quietly he took his leave
and went out to take his chance with Death.
The two girls thought much about him that night as they went about their
work, and later lay down and tried to sleep, and their prayers went up for
the faithful soul who was doing his duty out there under fire, and for the
anxious wife and little one who waited to know the outcome.
Pages:
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173