interlude(玛丽罗茨莱因哈特惊人的幕间表演)-第57章
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her work and lifted her head。 The rhythm of marching feet came through
the wooden shutters。 The very building seemed to vibrate with it。 And
there was a growling sound with it that soon she knew to be the deep
voices of singing men。
… Page 206…
THE AMAZING INTERLUDE
She went to the door and stood there； looking down the street。 Behind
her was the warm glow of the lamp； all the snug invitation of the little
house。
A group of soldiers had paused in front of the doorway； and from them
one emerged … tall； white； infinitely weary … and looked up at her with
unbelieving eyes。
After all； there are no words for such meetings。 Henri took her hand；
still with that sense of unreality； and bent over it。 And Sara Lee touched
his head as he stooped； because she had called for so long； and only now
he had come。
〃So you have come back！〃 she said in what she hoped was a composed
tone … because a great many people were listening。 He raised his head and
looked at her。
〃It is you who have come back； mademoiselle。〃
There was gayety in the little house that night。 Every candle was
lighted。 They were stuck in rows on mantel…shelves。 They blazed … and
melted into strange arcs … above the kitchen stove。 There were cigarettes
for everybody； and food； and a dry uniform； rather small； for Henri。 Marie
wept over her soup； and ran every few moments to the door to see if he
was still there。 She had kissed him on both cheeks when he came in； and
showed signs； every now and then； of doing it again。
Sara Lee did her bandaging as usual； but with shining eyes。 And soon
after Henri's arrival a dispatch rider set off post haste with certain papers
and maps； hurriedly written and drawn。 Henri had not only returned； he
had brought back information of great value to all the Allied armies。
So Sara Lee bandaged； and in the little room across the way； where no
longer Harvey's photograph sat on the mantel； Henri told his story to the
officers … of his imprisonment in the German prison at Crefeld； of his
finding Jean there； weeks later when he was convalescing from typhoid； of
their escape and long wandering； of Jean's getting into Holland； whence he
would return by way of England。 Of his own business； of what he had
done behind the lines after Jean had gone； he said nothing。 But his
listeners knew and understood。
… Page 207…
THE AMAZING INTERLUDE
But his dispatches off； his story briefly told； Henri wandered out
among the men again。 He was very happy。 He had never thought to be so
happy。 He felt the touch on his sleeves of hard brown； not overclean hands；
infinitely tender and caressing； and over there； as though she had never
gone； was Sara Lee； slightly flushed and very radiant。
And as though he also had never gone away； Henri pushed into the
salle a manger and stood before her smiling。
〃You bandage well； mademoiselle；〃 he said gayly。 〃But I？ I bandage
better！ See now； a turn here； and it is done！ Does it hurt； Paul？〃
The man in the dressing chair squirmed and grinned sheepishly。
〃The iodine；〃 he explained。 〃It is painful。〃
〃Then I shall ask you a question； and you will forget the iodine。 Why
is a dead German like the tail of a pig？〃
Paul failed。 The room failed。 Even Colonel Lilias confessed himself at
fault。
〃Because it is the end of the swine；〃 explained Henri； and looked about
him triumphantly。 A gust of laughter spread through the room and even to
the kitchen。 A door banged。 Henri upset a chair。 There was noise again；
and gayety in the little house of mercy。 And much happiness。
And there I think we may leave them all … Henri and Sara Lee； and
Jean of the one eye and the faithful heart； and Marie； with her kettles； and
even Rene； who still in some strange way belonged to the little house； as
though it were something too precious to abandon。
The amazing interlude had become the play itself。 Never again for
Sara Lee would the lights go up in front； and Henri with his adoring eyes
and open arms fade into the shadows。
The drama of the war plays on。 The Great Playwright sees fit； now and
then； to take away some well…beloved players。 New faces appear and
disappear。 The music is the thunder of many guns。 Henri still plays his big
part； Sara Lee her little one。 Yet who shall say； in the end； which one has
done the better？ There are new and ever new standards； but love remains
the chief。 And love is Sara Lee's one quality … love of her kind； of tired
men and weary； the love that shall one day knit this broken world together。
… Page 208…
THE AMAZING INTERLUDE
And love of one man。
On weary nights； when Henri is again lost in the shadows； Sara Lee；
her work done； the men gone； sits in her little house of mercy and waits。
The stars on clear evenings shine down on the roofless buildings； on the
rubbish that was once the mill； on the ruined poplar trees； and on the small
acre of peace where tiny crosses mark the long sleep of weary soldiers。
And sometimes； though she knows it now by heart； she reads aloud
that letter of Henri's to her。 It comforts her。 It is a promise。
〃If that is to be； then think of me； somewhere； perhaps with Rene by
my side； since he； too； loved you。 And I shall still be calling you； and
waiting。 Perhaps； even beyond the stars； they have need of a little house of
mercy。 And God knows； wherever I am； I shall have need of you。〃
