第14章

"I’mgoingtodriveyoutoEtaplesto—morrowinmycar。IknowthematronandsomeofthenursesintheAmericanhospitalthere。"

"Youdon’tmeanit，"saidBarry，"butareyousureit’snotaterribleboreforyou？IammuchafraidthatIhavebeenanuisancetoyou，andyouhavebeensovery，verygoodtome。"

"Abore！"shecried，andthebrowneyeswerewideopeninsurprise。

"Abore，andyouaCanadian！Why，youareoneofmybrothers’

friends，andbesidesyouseemtomeafriendofourfamily。MyuncleHoward，youknow，toldmeallaboutyou。Besides，"sheaddedinavoiceofgreatgentleness，"youremember，Ipromised。"

Barrycaughtherhand。

"IwishIcouldtellyouallIfeelaboutit，butsomehowIcan’tgetthewords。"

Sheallowedherhandtoremaininhisforamomentortwo；thenwithdrawingit，saidhurriedly，withaslightcolourshowinginhercheeks：

"IthinkIunderstand。"Thenchanginghertoneabruptly，anddroppingintothebusiness—likemannerofaV。A。D。，shesaid，"So，we’llgoto—morrow。Itwillheasplendidrun，ifthedayisfine。Wehadbetterstartbynineo’clocktogiveusalongday。"

Then，asifforgettingshewasaV。A。D。，sheaddedwithalittlecatchinhervoice，"Oh，Ishallloveit！"

Thedayprovedtobefine，——oneofthosegoldendaysofspringthathavegiventothelanditsnameof"sunnyFrance。"Itwasadayforlifeandyouthandhope。Adayonwhichwarseemedmorethaneveracrueloutrageuponhumanity。Butacrossthesunniestdays，acrosstheshiningfaceofFrance，andacrosstheirspirits，too，thewarcastitsblackshadow。Theyboth，however，seemedtohaveresolvedthatforthatdayatleasttheywouldturntheireyesfromthatshadowandletthemrestonlywherethesunwasshining。

TheV。A。D。withhermindintentuponherwheelcouldonlycontribute，ashershareintheconversation，descriptiveandsomewhatdesultorycommentsuponpointsofinterestalongtheway。

Barry，becauseitharmonisedwithhismood，talkedabouthisfatherandalltheiryearstogetherbuteverwithoutobtrusionofhisgrief。Theexperiencesofthepastthreedays，whichtheyhadshared，seemedtohaveestablishedbetweenthemasenseofmutualconfidenceandcomradeshipsuchasinordinarycircumstanceswouldhavedemandedyearsofcompanionshiptoeffect。Thissenseofsympathyandofperfectunderstandingonthepartofthegirlathisside，togetherwiththefascinatingcharmofherbeauty，andhersweetness，wastoBarry’sstrickenheartlikeahealingbalmtoanachingwound。

TheywereinsightofEtaplesbeforeBarryimaginedtheycouldhavemademorethanhalfthejourney。

"Etaples，sosoon！Itcannotbe！"

"Butitis，"saidthegirl，throwingabrightsmileathim，"andthat’sthehospital，onthehillyonder，wheretheflagisflying。"

"Why，"exclaimedBarry，"that’stheAmericanflag！What’stheAmericanflagdoingthere？"

"It’sflyingoveranAmericanhospital，"saidtheV。A。D。"I

thinkit’ssuchabeautifulflag。Inthebreeze，itseemstomethemostbeautifulofalltheflags。Thestripesseemtoflowoutfromthestars。Ofcourse，"sheaddedhurriedly，"theUnionJackwithallitshistoricmeaninganditsmingledcrosses，issplendidlygloriousandismoredecorative，butIalwaysthink，whenIseethosefloatingstripes，thattheAmericanshavethemostbeautifulflag。"

"Iadmit，"saidBarry，"it’sabeautifulflag，but——well，I’maBritisher，Isuppose，andseeitwithBritisheyes。ButwhyisthatflagflyinghereinFrance？Howdotheauthoritiesallowthat？It’saneutralflag——awfullyneutral，too。"

"IunderstandtheyhavepermissionfromtheFrenchauthoritiestoflythatflagovereveryAmericaninstitutioninFrance。Andyouknow，"continuedthegirlwithrisingenthusiasm，"iftheyareneutral，theyhaveimmenselyhelpedus，too，haven’tthey？——inmunitionsandthatsortofthing。"

"That’strueenough，"agreedBarry，"andit’sallthemorewonderfulwhenyouthinkofthemillionsofGermansthattheyhaveintheircountry。Iheardaveryfinething，notlongago，fromafriendofmine。APittsburghoilmanabouttocloseadeal，withatraveller，withmillionsinit，suddenlydiscoveredthathisoilwastogototheGermans。Atoncethedealwasoff，and，thoughthepricewasconsiderablyraised，therewas，inhisownwords，’Nothing’doing！’’Nostuffofmine，’hesaid，’shallgotohelpanenemyoftheAnglo—Saxonrace。’That’sthewayIbelievetherealAmericansfeel。"

"Thisisawonderfulhospital，"saidtheV。A。D。"WheneverIseeit，IsomehowfeelmyheartgrowwarmtotheAmericanpeopleforthesplendidwayinwhichtheyhavehelpedpoorFrance，for，youknow，inthefirstmonthsofthewar，theFrenchhospitalswereperfectlyghastly。"

"Iknow，Iknow！"criedBarry。"AndtheCanadians，too，havechippedinabit。WehaveaCanadianhospitalinParis，fortheFrench，andothersarebeingorganised。"

Theyturnedinatthegateandfoundthemselvesinabeautifulquadrangle，setoutwithgrassplotsandflowersandcementwalks。

Thebuildingitself，anancientroyalpalace，hadbeenenlargedbymeansofsun—parloursandporcheswhichgaveitanairofwonderfulcheerinessandbrightness。

"Iwillruninandseeifanyofmyfriendsareabout，"saidtheV。A。D。"Waithereforme。Unlessyoucaretocomein，"sheadded。

"No，Iwillwaithere。Idon’tjustfeellikemeetingstrangersbut，ifthereareCanadiansinthehospital，Ishouldliketoseethem。Andperhapsyoucandiscoverwheremychiefcanbefound，ifyoudon’tmind。"

Hardlyhadshepassedwithinthedoor，whenanothercarcameswiftlytothegateanddrewupalittleinfrontofBarry’s。A

girlleapedfromthewheelandwithaspringinherstep，whichspokeofaboundingvitality，ranupthesteps。

Whatthoughtcaughtheritisdifficulttosay，butonthetopmoststepshespunaroundandlookedstraightintoBarry’seyes。

"Paula！"heshouted，andwasoutofthecarandatthefootofthesteps，withhandoutstretched，when，withasingletouchofherfoottothesteps，shewasathim，withbothhandsreachingforhis。

"Barry，oh，Barry！Itcan’tbeyou！"shepanted。Herfacewentred，thenwhite，thenredagain。"Oh，it’sbetterthanadrinktoseeyou。Whence，how，why，whither？Oh，nevermindanswering，"

shewenton。"It’senoughtoseeyou。"

AstepbehindherdivertedherattentionfromBarry。Barryranupthesteps，andtakingtheV。A。D。bythehand，ledherdown。

"Iwantyoutomeetafriendofmine，"hesaidandintroducedPaula。

Paula’seyes，keenasaknife—point，wereupontheV。A。D。’sface。

"I’mgladtoknowyou，"shesaidfrankly，offeringherhand。

"Principally，"sheadded，withalittlelaugh，"becauseyouknowBarry。"

TheV。A。D。bowedwiththeslightreservecharacteristicofher，andtookPaula’shand。

"I，too，ampleased，"shesaid，"tomeetafriendofCaptainDunbar。"Thensheaddedwithincreasedcordiality，"andI’mgladtomeetanAmericaninFrance。Iknowyourmatron，andsomeofthenurses。"

"Good！"criedPaula。"Now，then，you’llbothofyoutakelunchwithme。"

TheV。A。D。demurred。

"Ofcourseyouwill，"criedPaula。"Oh，Barry，I’mjustreadytodiefromseeingyouagain。Comealong！"shecried，impulsively，catchingtheV。A。D。bythearm。"Comealongandparkyourbuzzwagonherebesidemine。"

Sherantohercar，spranginandwhirleditintoplacebeforetheV。A。D。hadherswellstarted。

Barrywaitedwheretheyhadlefthim。ThesuddenappearingofPaulahadstirredwithinhimdepthsoffeelingthatalmostoverpoweredhim。HismindwasfarawayinAthabasca，oncemorehewasseeingthedarkpool，theswiftlyflowingwater，thecampfire，andhisfatherbendingoverit。Hisheartwasquiveringasifahandhadbeenrudelythrustintoarawwoundinit。

TheV。A。D。heldPaulaafewmomentsbesidehercar，speakingquicklyandearnestly。WhentheyrejoinedBarry，Paula’seyesweresoftwithunshedtears，andhervoicewasverygentle。

"Iknow，Barry，"shesaid。"MissVincentjusttoldme。Oh，whatterriblechangesthiswarbringstousall。Weseesomanysadthingshereeveryday。It’sterriblysadforyou，Barry。"

"Yes，itissad，Paula，anditisgoingtobelonely。YouhavebroughtbacktomethatbrightdayontheAthabasca。But，"headdedearnestly，"afterall，inthiswareverythingpersonalissosmall。Besides，hewassosplendid，youknow，andtheboystoldmeheplayedthegameupthererighttotheend。SoI’mnotgoingtoshamehim；atleast，I’mtryingnotto。"

ButbrightaswasBarry’ssmile，Paulacaughtthequiveringofhislips，andturnedquicklyawayfromhim。

Afteramomentortwoofsilence，shecried，withheroldimpulsiveness，"Nowyouwillbothlunchwithme。I’mthequartermasterofthisoutfit，andhaveasmallparlourofmyown。

Weshallhavealovely，cosytime，justMissVincent，youandmyselftogether。"

"But，"repliedtheV。A。D。，"Ihavejustarrangedwiththematrontolunchwithher。"

"Oh，rubbish！I’llcutthatout，allright。What’stheuseofbeingquartermasterifIcan’tarrangealunchpartytosuitmyself？"

StilltheV。A。D。demurred。Withher，breakinganengagementforlunchwasaseriousaffair——wasindeedtakingalibertywhichnoEnglishgirlwouldthinkofdoing。

"Oh，that’snonsense！"criedPaula。"I’llmakeitperfectlyallright。Lookhere，"shecried，wheelingupontheV。A。D。，"youBritishersaresoterriblycorrect。I’llshowyoualittleshirtsleevediplomacy。Besides，ifyoudon’tcomeinonthisyoucanhavethematron，andI’lltakeBarry，"shesaidwithathreateningsmile。"Watchme！"sheadded，assheranaway。

"Whatasplendidgirl！"saidtheV。A。D。"AndthatcaptivatingAmericanwayshehas。Perfectlyripping，Icallit。Idohopeweshallbefriends。"

InashorttimePaulacamerushingbackintotheroom，announcingtriumphantlythatarrangementshadbeenmadeaccordingtoherprogramme，withthematroninheartyaccord。

"Andshesendsherlove，"shesaidtotheV。A。D。"Shewouldnothaveyouonanyaccountmissthisparty。Sheisdesperatelygrievedthatshecannotacceptmyinvitationtojoinus。Ofcourse，Iknewtheolddearcouldn’t。Andwearetomeetherafterwards。"

Thelittlelunchpartywas，onthewhole，asuccess。TotheconversationPaulacontributedthelargerpart，Barrydoinghisbesttosecondher。Butinspiteofhisheroicefforts，hismindwouldescapehim，farawaytothesunnyAthabascaplains，andthegleamingriverandthesmoothslippingcanoe，andthenwithswifttransitiontothelittleBritishplotinthecemeteryatBoulogne。

Atsuchtimes，Paula，readinghisface，wouldmomentarilyfalterinhergaytalk，onlytobeginagainwithrenewedvivacity。Ononetopic，however，shehadnodifficultyinholdingBarry’sattention。

ItwaswhenshetoldoftheorganisinganddespatchingoftheAmericanRedCrossunitstoFrance，andmoreespeciallyofherownunit，organisedandfinancedbyherfather。

"Iamawfullysorryheisnothereto—day。Hewouldhavelovedtohaveseenyouagain，Barry。"

"AndItohaveseenhim，"saidBarry。"Heisabigman，anditisfineofhimtodothisthing。It’sjustlikethebig，generous—

heartedAmericans——theyaresounstintedintheirsympathies，andtheybackthemupforalltheyareworth。"

"Andhowefficienttheyare，"addedtheV。A。D。inwarmadmiration。

"Thishospital，youknow，"turningtoBarry，"isperfectlywonderful。

Itsequipment！Itsappliances！IhaveoftenheardourO。C。speakinthemostrapturousenvyoftheEtaplesAmericanRedCrossunit。"

"Andwhyshouldnotitbe？"criedPaula。"It’saquestionofmoneyafterall。Wearenotatwar。WeputinafewlittlehospitalshereinFrance。Wehavemoremoneythrownatusthanwecanuse。

Andyoutalkaboutefficiency，"sheadded，turningtotheV。A。D。

"GoodLord！MypaterhasjustcomebackfromLondon，wherehewasrubberingaroundwithlordsanddukesandthingsinadisgustinglyun—AmericanwayItoldhim，andnowheravesfrommorninguntilnightovertheefficiencyoftheBritish。He’sbeenallowedtoseesomeoftheirmunitionworks，youknow。IsimplyhadtodeclaimtheAmericanDeclarationofIndependencetohimthreetimesadaytorevivehisdroopingDemocraticsentiments，andIhadtosewOldGloryontohispajamassothathemightdreamproperAmericandreams。No，totellyouthetruth，"herePaula’svoicetookadeepernote，"everylastAmericanofushereinFranceishotwithhumiliationandrageathiscountry’sattitude，——monkeyingwiththosebaby—killing，woman—rapingdevils。"

Assheended，hervoiceshookwithpassion，hercheekswerepale，andinhereyesshonetwobrighttears。ImpulsivelytheV。A。D。

rosefromherplace，ranaroundtoPaula，andputtingherarmaroundherneck，said：

"Oh，Idothankyou，andIloveyouforyourwords，"whileBarrystoodatattention，asifinthepresenceofhissuperiorofficer。

"Isaluteyou，"hesaidwithgraveearnestness。"Youworthilyrepresentyourbraveandgenerouspeople。"

"Oh，darnitall！"criedPaula，brushingawayhertears。"I’mafool，butyoudon’tknowhowweAmericansfeel——realAmericans，I

mean，nottheyellowhyphenatedbreed。"

Afterlunch，Barrywenttolookuphischief，theassistantdirectorofchaplainservice，whilePaulatookchargeoftheV。A。D。，saying：

"Runaway，Barry，andseeyourBrassHat。I’llshowMissVincenthowaquartermaster’sdepartmentofarealhospitalshouldberun。"

HishourwiththeA。D。C。S。wasamoststimulatingexperienceforBarry。Hefoundhimselfatonceintouchwithnotanofficialthinkingintermsofmilitaryregulationsandetiquette，butasoldierandaman。FortheA。D。C。S。wasboth。ThroughalltheterribledaysatYpres，wheretheCanadians，inthatwelterofgasandfireandblood，hadwontheirimperishablefameasfightingmen，hehadbeenwiththem，sharingtheirdangersandministeringtotheirwantswithhisbrotherofficersofthefightingline。

Physicallyanunimpressivefigure，smallandslight，yetheseemedchargedwithconcentratedenergywaitingrelease。

AsBarrylistenedtohiswordscomingforthinsnappy，jerkingphrases，hewasfascinatedbythebulldogjawandpiercingeyesofthelittleman。Inbrief，comprehensive，vigoroussentences，hesetforthhisidealsforthechaplainserviceintheCanadianarmy。

"Threethings，"hesaid，"Itellmymen，shouldmarktheCanadianchaplainservice。Thefirst，Unity——unityamongthemselves，unitywiththeotherdepartmentsofthearmy。Twowordsdescribeourchaplains——ChristianandCanadians。IamanAnglicanmyself，butonthissideofthechanneltherearenoAnglican，noPresbyterian，noMethodistchaplains，onlyChristianandCanadianchaplains。I

havehadtofightforthiswithhighofficialsbothinthearmyandinthechurch。Ihavewonout，andwhileI’mherethiswillbemaintained。ThesecondthingisSpirituality。TheChaplainmustbeaChristianman，livingintouchwiththeDivine——alivetowardGod。Third，Humanity。Hemustbe’touchedwiththefeelingofourinfirmity，’sharingtheexperiencesofthemen，gettingtoknowtheirfeelings，theirfears，theirloneliness，theirmisery，theiranxieties，andGodknowstheyhavetheiranxietiesforthemselvesandfortheirfolksathome。"

AsBarrylistened，heheardagainhisfather’svoice。"Theyneedyou。Theyareafraid。Theyarelonely。TheyneedGod。"

"Andremember，"saidtheA。D。C。S。，asherosetoclosetheinterview，"thatIamatyourback。Ifyouhaveanydifficulty，letmeknow。Ifyouarewrong，Ipromisetotellyou。Ifyouareright，I’llbackyouup。Now，letusgoandlookoverthehospital。Therearesomeofourfellowsthere。Ifyoufeellikesayinganythingintheconvalescentward，allright，butdon’tletitworryyou。"

Astheywentthroughthewards，Barrycouldnotbutnoticehowthefacesofthepatientsbrightenedashischiefapproached，andhowtheireyesfollowedhimafterhehadpassed。

Theymovedslowlythroughthoselongcorridors，sanctifiedbythesufferingsandgriefsandhiddentearsofhomesickandhomelongingmen，tomanyofwhomitseemedthatthebestoflifewaspast。

Whentheyhadgonethelengthoftheconvalescentward，theA。D。C。S。turnedand，aftergettingpermissionofthemedicalsuperintendent，brieflyintroducedBarrytothewoundedmen，as"amanfromthewildandwoollyCanadianwest，onhiswayuptheline，andthereforecompetenttotellusaboutthewar，andespeciallywhenitwillend。"

Besidethemstoodapiano，andonitlayaviolininitsopencase。

Barrytookuptheviolin，fingereditsstringsinanabsent—mindedway，andsaid：

"Idon’tknowanythingaboutthewar，men，butIdoknowwhenitwillend，andthatiswhenwelickthoseHunsgoodandplenty，asourAmericanfriendswouldsay，"bowingtothedoctorathisside。

"I’manawfullypoorspeaker，boys，"hecontinuedinaconfidentialtone，"butIcanmakethisthingtalkabit。"

Withoutfurtherprefacehebegantoplay。Hehadnotheldaviolininhishandssincehehadplayedwithhisfatherathome。

UnconsciouslyhisfingerswanderedintothefamiliarnotesofHandel’sLargo。Hefoundtheviolintopossessanexceptionallyrichandpurequalityoftone。

Ashebegantoplay，adooropenedbehindthem，admittingPaula，theV。A。D。andtwoorthreeyoungdoctors，whotooktheirplacesinthecorneraboutthepiano。

"Doyouknowthis？"whisperedPaulatotheV。A。D。，asshecaughtthestrainsoftheLargo。

"Yes。Iusedtoplayitwithmybrother。"

"Gotoit，then，"saidPaula。

ButtheV。A。D。hesitated。

"Goon！Lookattheboys，andlookathisface。"

TheV。A。D。glancedabouttheroomatthelinesofpaleandpatientfaces，which，inspiteofthemarksofpain，weresopatheticallyandresolutelybright。ThensheglancedatBarry’sface。Hehadforgottenallabouthissurroundings，andhisfacewasilluminedwiththelightfromthosehiddenlampsthatburndeepinthesoulofgenius，alightenrichedandwarmedbytheglowofaheartinsympathywithitskind。

InobediencetoPaula’scommandandalittlepushuponhershoulder，theV。A。D。satdownatthepianoandtouchedthenotessoftly，feelingforthekey，thenfellinwiththeviolin。

Atthefirstnote，Barryturnedsharplyaboutandasshefoundherkeyandbegantofollow，hesteppedbacktoherside。Immediately，fromhisinstrument，thereseemedtoflowaricher，fullerstreamofmelody。FromthesolemnandstatelyharmoniesoftheLargo，hepassedtothoseoldfamiliarairs，thatneverdieandneverlosetheirpoweroverthehumanheart——"AnnieLaurie"and"BenBolt，"

andthencetoarollickingFrenchchanson，whichratherbowledoverhisaccompanist，butonlyforthefirsttimethough，forshehadtheraregiftofimprovisation，andsympatheticaccompaniment。

Thenwithafullarmbowing，hesweptthemintothefiercelymajesticstrainsofthe"Marseillaise，"bringingtheblue—coatedorderliesaboutthedoor，andsuchpatientsascouldstand，andthegroupaboutthepianotorigidattention。Fromthe"Marseillaise"

itwaseasytopassintothenoblesimplicityofhisownnationalsong，"Oh，Canada！"whereagainhisaccompanistwasquiteabletofollow，andthencetotheEmpire’sNationalAnthem，whichhadforahundredyearsormoreliftedtotheirfeetBritishsoldiersandsailorstheworldover。

Ashedrewhisbowoverthelastchord，Paulasteppedtohisside，andwhisperedinhisear：

"Where’sAmericainthisthing？"

Withoutaninstant’sbreakinthemusic，hedroppedintoawhimsicalandreallyhumorousrenderingof"YankeeDoodle。"

QuicklytheV。A。D。movedfromthestool，caughtPaulaandthrustherintothevacantplace。Thentogethertheviolinandpianorattledintoafantasticandbrilliantvariationofthatfamousandtriflingair。Again，withasuddenchangeofmood，Barryswungintothatoldsongofthehomesickplantationnegro，"TheSuwaneeRiver"——asimpleenoughair，butunderthemanipulationsofamasterlendingitselftoaninterpretationofthedeepandtenderemotionswhichinthatroomandinthatcompanyofFrench，British，Canadian，Americanfolkwerethrobbinginacommonlongingfortheoldhomeandthe"oldfolksathome。"Beforehehadplayedtheaironcethrough，thegrey—hairedAmericandoctorwasopenlywipinghiseyes，andhiscolleagueslookingawayfromeachother，ashamedofthetearsthatdidthemonlyhonour。

Paula’sflushedfaceandflashingeyeswereeloquentofherdeepemotion，whileathersidetheV。A。D。stoodquiet，controlled，butwithaglowoftenderfeelingshininginherfaceandinhersoftbrowneyes。

NotlongdidBarrylingeramidthosedeepsofemotion，butstraighteninghisfiguretoitsfullheight，andthrowinguphishead，he，infulloctaves，playedtheopeningbarsofwhathascometobeknownasAmerica’snationalanthem，"TheStarSpangledBanner。"

InstantlytheA。D。C。S。，theorderliesaboutthedoor，thewoundedFrench，BritishandCanadiansoldiersthatcouldstand，sprangtoattentionandsoremainedwhiletheviolin，withitspianoaccompaniment，throbbedforththesonorouschords。Withthelastbar，Barrydroppedhisbowtohisside，butheldtheviolinstillathischin。Notoneofthatcompanymoved，butstoodwiththeireyesfasteneduponhisface。Afteramoment’spause，hequietlyliftedhisbowagain，andonthesilence，stillthrobbingtothestrainsofthattriumphantmartialair，therestoleoutpure，sweet，asfromsomeetherealsource，thelongdrawn，tremblingnotesofthatoldsacredmelody，which，soundingovermenandwomenintheirhoursofterrorandanguishanddespair，hasliftedthemtopeaceandcomfortandhope——"Nearer，MyGod，toThee。"

Thetensionwhichhadheldthecompanywasrelaxed，thewoundedmensanktotheirseats，theA。D。C。S。removedhishat，which，accordingtomilitaryregulations，hehadworntothismoment。

Onallsides，headsdroppedinanattitudeofreverence，andsocontinueduntilBarryhaddrawnthelastdeep，vibratingnotetoaclose。

Whenhehadlaidhisviolininitscase，theoldAmericandoctorcameforward，withhishandextended。

"Letme，asanAmericanandaChristian，thankyou，sir，"hesaid。

OnebyonethegroupofAmericanscametoshakehandswithhim，thelastbeingPaula，whoheldhishandamomentandsaidsoftly：

"Thankyou，Barry。Ibelieveallthatstuffnow。Ihavelearnedithere。"

ThelastofalltocomewastheV。A。D。Shyly，withasmileradiantthroughhertears，sheofferedherhand，saying："Thankyou！Hewouldhavelikedthat，Iknow。"

"CaptainDunbar，where’syourownviolin？"TheabrupttoneoftheA。D。C。S。startledthemall。