快捷操作: 按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页 按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页 按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部! 如果本书没有阅读完，想下次继续接着阅读，可使用上方 "收藏到我的浏览器" 功能 和 "加入书签" 功能！

　me　drunk？　I　made　you　drunk；　said　the　major。　I　made　you　drunk　because　I　love　you　and　because　America　is　in　the　war。　Up　to　the　hilt；　I　said。　You　go　away　in　the　morning；　baby；　Rinaldi　said。　To　Rome；　I　said。　No；　to　Milan。　To　Milan；　said　the　major；　to　the　Crystal　Palace；　to　the　Cova；　to　Campari's；　to　Biffi's；　to　the　galleria。　You　lucky　boy。　To　the　Gran　Italia；　I　said；　where　I　will　borrow　money　from　George。　To　the　Scala；　said　Rinaldi。　You　will　go　to　the　Scala。　Every　night；　I　said。　You　won't　be　able　to　afford　it　every　night；　said　the　major。
The　tickets　are　very　expensive。　I　will　draw　a　sight　draft　on　my　grandfather；　I　said。　A　what？　A　sight　draft。　He　has　to　pay　or　I　go　to　jail。　Mr。　Cunningham　at　the　bank　does　it。　I　live　by　sight　drafts。　Can　a　grandfather　jail　a　patriotic　grandson　who　is　dying　that　Italy　may　live？　Live　the　American　Garibaldi；　said　Rinaldi。　Viva　the　sight　drafts；　I　said。　We　must　be　quiet；　said　the　major。　Already　we　have　been　asked　many　times　to　be　quiet。　Do　you　go　to…morrow　really；　Federico？　He　goes　to　the　American　hospital　I　tell　you；　Rinaldi　said。　To　the　beautiful　nurses。　Not　the　nurses　with　beards　of　the　field　hospital。　Yes；　yes；　said　the　major；　I　know　he　goes　to　the　American　hospital。　I　don't　mind　their　beards；　I　said。　If　any　man　wants　to　raise　a　beard　let　him。　Why　don't　you　raise　a　beard；　Signor　Maggiore？　It　could　not　go　in　a　gas　mask。　Yes　it　could。　Anything　can　go　in　a　gas　mask。　I've　vomited　into　a　gas　mask。　Don't　be　so　loud；　baby；　Rinaldi　said。　We　all　know　you　have　been　at　the　front　Oh；　you　fine　baby；　what　will　I　do　while　you　are　gone？　We　must　go；　said　the　major。　This　bees　sentimental。　Listen；　I　have　a　surprise　for　you。　Your　English。　You　know？　The　English　you　go　to　see　every　night　at　their　hospital？　She　is　going　to　Milan　too。　She　goes　with　another　to　be　at　the　American　hospital。　They　had　not　got　nurses　yet　from　America。　I　talked　to…day　with　the　head　of　their　riparto。　They　have　too　many　Women　here　at　the　front。　They　send　some　back。　How　do　you　like　that；　baby？　All　right。　Yes？　You　go　to　live　in　a　big　city　and　have　your　English　there　to　cuddle　you。　Why　don't　I　get　wounded？　Maybe　you　will；　I　said。　We　must　go；　said　the　major。　We　drink　and　make　noise　and　disturb　Federico。　Don't　go。　Yes；　we　must　go。　Good…by。　Good　luck。　Many　things。　Ciaou。　Ciaou。　Ciaou。　e　back　quickly；　baby。　Rinaldi　kissed　me。　You　smell　of　lysol。　Good…by；　baby。　Good…by。　Many　things。　The　major　patted　my　shoulder。　They　tiptoed　out。　I　found　I　was　quite　drunk　but　went　to　sleep。
The　next　day　in　the　morning　we　left　for　Milan　and　arrived　forty…eight　hours　later。　It　was　a　bad　trip。　We　were　sidetracked　for　a　long　time　this　side　of　Mestre　and　children　came　and　peeked　in。　I　got　a　little　boy　to　go　for　a　bottle　of　cognac　but　he　came　back　and　said　he　could　only　get　grappa。　I　told　him　to　get　it　and　when　it　came　I　gave　him　the　change　and　the　man　beside　me　and　I　got　drunk　and　slept　until　past　Vicenza　where　I　woke　up　and　was　very　sick　on　the　floor。　It　did　not　matter　because　the　man　on　that　side　had　been　very　sick　on　the　floor　several　times　before。　Afterward　I　thought　I　could　not　stand　the　thirst　and　in　the　yards　outside　of　Verona　I　called　to　a　soldier　who　was　walking　up　and　down　beside　the　train　and　he　got　me　a　drink　of　water。　I　woke　Georgetti；　the　other　boy　who　was　drunk；　and　offered　him　some　water。　He　said　to　pour　it　on　his　shoulder　and　went　back　to　sleep。　The　soldier　would　not　take　the　penny　I　offered　him　and　brought　me　a　pulpy　orange。　I　sucked　on　that　and　spit　out　the　pith　and　watched　the　soldier　pass　up　and　down　past　a　freight…car　outside　and　after　a　while　the　train　gave　a　jerk　and　started。





BOOK　TWO





13


We　got　into　Milan　early　in　the　morning　and　they　unloaded　us　in　the　freight　yard。　An　ambulance　took　me　to　the　American　hospital。　Riding　in　the　ambulance　on　a　stretcher　I　could　not　tell　what　part　of　town　we　were　passing　through　but　when　they　unloaded　the　stretcher　I　saw　a　market…place　and　an　open　wine　shop　with　a　girl　sweeping　out。　They　were　watering　the　street　and　it　smelled　of　the　early　morning。　They　put　the　stretcher　down　and　went　in。　The　porter　came　out　with　them。　He　had　gray　mustaches；　wore　a　doorman's　cap　and　was　in　his　shirt　sleeves。　The　stretcher　would　not　go　into　the　elevator　and　they　discussed　whether　it　was　better　to　lift　me　off　the　stretcher　and　go　up　in　the　elevator　or　carry　the　stretcher　up　the　stairs。　I　listened　to　them　discussing　it。　They　decided　on　the　elevator。　They　lifted　me　from　the　stretcher。　〃Go　easy；〃　I　said。　〃Take　it　softly。〃
In　the　elevator　we　were　crowded　and　as　my　legs　bent　the　pain　was　very　bad。　〃Straighten　out　the　legs；〃　I　said。
〃We　can't；　Signor　Tenente。　There　isn't　room。〃　The　man　who　said　this　had　his　arm　around　me　and　my　arm　was　around　his　neck。　His　breath　came　in　my　face　metallic　with　garlic　and　red　wine。
〃Be　gentle；〃　the　other　man　said。
〃Son　of　a　bitch　who　isn't　gentle！〃
〃Be　gentle　I　say；〃　the　man　with　my　feet　repeated。
I　saw　the　doors　of　the　elevator　closed；　and　the　grill　shut　and　the　fourth…floor　button　pushed　by　the　porter。　The　porter　looked　worried。　The　elevator　rose　slowly。
〃Heavy？〃　I　asked　the　man　with　the　garlic。
〃Nothing；〃　he　said。　His　face　was　sweating　and　he　grunted。　The　elevator　rose　steadily　and　stopped。　The　man　holding　the　feet　opened　the　door　and　stepped　out。　We　were　on　a　balcony。　There　were　several　doors　with　brass　knobs。　The　man　carrying　the　feet　pushed　a　button　that　rang　a　bell。　We　heard　it　inside　the　doors。　No　one　came。　Then　the　porter　came　up　the　stairs。
〃Where　are　they？〃　the　stretcher…bearers　asked。
〃I　don't　know；〃　said　the　porter。　〃They　sleep　down　stairs。〃
〃Get　somebody。〃
The　porter　rang　the　bell；　then　knocked　on　the　door；　then　he　opened　the　door　and　went　in。　When　he　came　back　there　was　an　elderly　woman　wearing　glasses　with　him。　Her　hair　was　loose　and　half…falling　and　she　wore　a　nurse's　dress。
〃I　can't　understand；〃　she　said。　〃I　can't　understand　Italian。〃
〃I　can　speak　English；〃　I　said。　〃They　want　to　put　me　somewhere。〃
〃None　of　the　rooms　are　ready。　There　isn't　any　patient　expected。〃　She　tucked　at　her　hair　and　looked　at　me　near…sightedly。
〃Show　them　any　room　where　they　can　put　me。〃
〃I　don't　know；〃　she　said。　〃There's　no　patient　expected。　I　couldn't　put　you　in　just　any　room。〃
〃Any　room　will　do；〃　I　said。　Then　to　the　porter　in　Italian；　〃Find　an　empty　room。〃
〃They　are　all　empty；〃　said　the　porter。　〃You　are　the　first　patient。〃　He　held　his　cap　in　his　hand　and　looked　at　the　elderly　nurse。
〃For　Christ's　sweet　sake　take　me　to　some　room。〃　The　pain　had　gone　on　and　on　with　the　legs　bent　and　I　could　feel　it　going　in　and　out　of　the　bone。　The　porter　went　in　the　door；　followed　by　the　grayhaired　woman；　then　came　hurrying　back。　〃Follow　me；〃　he　said。　They　carried　me　down　a　long　hallway　and　into　a　room　with　drawn　blinds。　It　smelled　of　new　furniture。　There　was　a　bed　and　a　big　wardrobe　with　a　mirror。　They　laid　me　down　on　the　bed。
〃I　can't　put　on　sheets；〃　the　woman　said。　〃The　sheets　are　locked　up。〃
I　did　not　speak　to　her。　〃There　is　money　in　my　pocket；〃　I　said　to　the　porter。　〃In　the　buttoned…down　pocket。〃　The　porter　took　out　the　money。　The　two　stretcher…bearers　stood　beside　the　bed　holding　their　caps。　〃Give　them　five　lire　apiece　and　five　lire　for　yourself。　My　papers　are　in　the　other　pocket。　You　may　give　them　to　the　nurse。〃
The　stretcher…bearers　saluted　and　said　thank　you。　〃Good…by；〃　I　said。　〃And　many　thanks。〃　They　saluted　again　and　went　out。
〃Those　papers；〃　I　said　to　the　nurse；　〃describe　my　case　and　the　treatment　already　given。〃
The　woman　picked　them　up　and　looked　at　them　through　her　glasses。　There　were　three　papers　and　they　were　folded。　〃I　don't　know　what　to　do；〃　she　said。　〃I　can't　read　Italian。　I　can't　do　anything　without　the　doctor's　orders。〃　She　menced　to　cry　and　put　the　papers　in　her　apron　pocket。　〃Are　you　an　American？〃　she　asked　crying。
〃Yes。　Please　put　the　papers　on　the　table　by　the　bed。〃
It　was　dim　and　cool　in　the　room。　As　I　lay　on　the　bed　I　could　see　the　big　mirror　on　the　other　side　of　the　room　but　could　not　see　what　it　reflected。　The　porter　stood　by　the　bed。　He　had　a　nice　face　and　was　very　kind。
〃You　can　go；〃　I　said　to　him。　〃You　can　go　too；〃　I　said　to　the　nurse。　〃What　is　your　name？〃
〃Mrs。　Walker。〃
〃You　can　go；　Mrs。　Walker。　I　think　I　will　go　to　sleep。〃
I　was　alone　in　the　room。　It　was　cool　and　did　not　smell　like　a　hospital。　The　mattress　was　firm　and　fortable　and　I　lay　without　moving；　hardly　breathing；　happy　in　feeling　the　pain　lessen。　After　a　while　I　wanted　a　drink　of　water　and　found　the　bell　on　a　cord　by　the　bed　and　rang　it　but　nobody　came。　I　went　to　sleep。
When　I　woke　I　looked　around。　There　was　sunlight　ing　in　through　the　shutters。　I　saw　the　big　armoire；　the　bare　walls；　and　two　chairs。　My　legs　in　the　dirty　bandages；　stuck　straight　out　in　the　bed。　I　was　careful　not　to　move　them。　I　was　thirsty　and　I　reached　for　the　bell　and　pushed　the　button。　I　heard　the　door　open　and　looked　and　it　was　a　nurse。　She　looked　young　and　pretty。
〃Good…morning；〃　I　said。
〃Good…morning；〃　she　said　and　came　over　to　the　bed。　〃We　haven't　been　able　to　get　the　doctor。　He's　gone　to　Lake　o。　No　one　knew　there　was　a　patient　ing。　What's　wrong　with　you　anyway？〃
〃I'm　wounded。　In　the　legs　and　feet　and　my　head　is　hurt。〃
〃What's　your　name？〃
〃Henry。　Frederic　Henry。〃
〃I'll　wash　you　up。　But　we　can't　do　anything　to　the　dressings　until　the　doctor　es。〃
〃Is　Miss　Barkley　here？〃
〃No。　There's　no　one　by　that　name　here。〃
〃Who　was　the　woman　who　cried　when　I　came　in？〃
The　nurse　laughed。　〃That's　Mrs。　Walker。　She　was　on　night　duty　and　she'd　been　asleep。　She　wasn't　expecting　any　one。〃
While　we　were　talking　she　was　undressing　me；　and　when　I　was　undressed；　except　for　the　bandages；　she　washed　me；　very　gently　and　smoothly。　The　washing　felt　very　good。　There　was　a　bandage　on　my　head　but　she　washed　all　around　the　edge。
〃Where　were　you　wounded？〃
〃On　the　Isonze　north　of　Plava。〃
〃Where　is　that？〃
〃North　of　Gorizia。〃
I　could　see　that　none　of　the　places　meant　anything　to　her。
〃Do　you　have　a　lot　of　pain？〃
〃No。　Not　much　now。〃
She　put　a　thermometer　in　my　mouth。
〃The　Italians　put　it　under　the　arm；〃　I　said。
〃Don't　talk。〃
When　she　took　the　thermometer　out　she　read　it　and　then　shook　it。
〃What's　the　temperature？〃
〃You're　not　supposed　to　know　that。〃
〃Tell　me　what　it　is。〃
〃It's　almost　normal。〃
〃I　never　have　any　fever。　My　legs　are　full　of　old　iron　too。〃
〃What　do　you　mean？〃
〃They're　full　of　trench…mortar　fragments；　old　screws　and　bedsprings　and　things。〃
She　shook　her　head　and　smiled。
〃If　you　had　any　foreign　bodies　in　your　legs　they　would　set　up　an　inflammation　and　you'd　have　fever。〃
〃All　right；〃　I　said。　〃We'll　see　what　es　out。〃
She　went　out　of　the　room　and　came　back　with　the　old　nurse　of　the　early　morning。　Together　they　made　the　bed　with　me　in　it。　That　was　new　to　me　and　an　admirable　proceeding。
〃Who　is　in　charge　here？〃
〃Miss　Van　Campen。〃
〃How　many　nurses　are　there？〃
〃Just　us　two。〃
〃Won't　there　be　more？〃
〃Some　more　are　ing。〃
〃When　will　they　get　here？〃
〃I　don't　know。　You　ask　a　great　many　questions　for　a　sick　boy。〃
〃I'm　not　sick；〃　I　said。　〃I'm　wounded。〃
They　had　finished　making　the　bed　and　I　lay　with　a　clean　smooth　sheet　under　me　and　another　sheet　over　me。　Mrs。　Walker　went　out　and　came　back　with　a　pajama　jacket。　They　put　that　on　me　and　I　felt　very　clean　and　dressed。
〃You're　awfully　nice　to　me；〃　I　said。　The　nurse　called　Miss　Gage　giggled。　〃Could　I　have　a　drink　of　water？〃　I　asked。
〃Certainly。　Then　you　can　have　breakfast。〃
〃I　don't　want　breakfast。　Can　I　have　the　shutters　opened　please？〃
The　light　had　been　dim　in　the　room　and　when　the　shutters　were　opened　it　was　bright　sunlight　and　I　looked　out　on　a　balcony　and　beyond　were　the　tile　roofs　of　houses　and　chimneys。　I　looked　out　over　the　tiled　roofs　and　saw　white　clouds　and　the　sky　very　blue。
〃Don't　you　know　when　the　other　nurses　are　ing？〃
〃Why？　Don't　we　take　good　care　of　you？〃
〃You're　very　nice。〃
〃Would　you　like　to　use　the　bedpan？〃
〃I　might　try。〃
They　helped　me　and　held　me　up　but　it　was　not　any　use。　Afterward　I　lay　and　looked　out　the　open　doors　onto　the　balcony。
〃When　does　the　doctor　e？〃
〃When　he　gets　back。　We've　tried　to　telephone　to　Lake　o　for　him。〃
〃Aren't　there　any　other　doctors？〃
〃He's　the　doctor　for　the　hospital。〃
Miss　Gage　brought　a　pitcher　of　water　and　a　glass。　I　drank　three　glasses　and　t