Chapter 26

           Iwenttothedoorandlookedout.Ithadstoppedrainingbuttherewasamist.

           "Shouldwegoupstairs?"Iaskedthepriest.

           "Icanonlystayalittlewhile."

           "Comeonup."

           Weclimbedthestairsandwentintomyroom.IlaydownonRinaldi’sbed.Thepriestsatonmycotthattheorderlyhadsetup.Itwasdarkintheroom.

           "Well,"hesaid,"howareyoureally?"

           "I’mallright.I’mtiredto-night."

           "I’mtiredtoo,butfromnocause."

           "Whataboutthewar?"

           "Ithinkitwillbeoversoon.Idon’tknowwhy,butIfeelit."

           "Howdoyoufeelit?"

           "Youknowhowyourmajoris?Gentle?Manypeoplearelikethatnow."

           "Ifeelthatwaymyself,"Isaid.

           "Ithasbeenaterriblesummer,"saidthepriest.HewassurerofhimselfnowthanwhenIhadgoneaway."Youcannotbelievehowithasbeen.Exceptthatyouhavebeenthereandyouknowhowitcanbe.Manypeoplehaverealizedthewarthissummer.OfficerswhomIthoughtcouldneverrealizeitrealizeitnow."

           "Whatwillhappen?"Istrokedtheblanketwithmyhand.

           "IdonotknowbutIdonotthinkitcangoonmuchlonger."

           "Whatwillhappen?"

           "Theywillstopfighting."

           "Who?"

           "Bothsides."

           "Ihopeso,"Isaid.

           "Youdon’tbelieveit?"

           "Idon’tbelievebothsideswillstopfightingatonce."

           "Isupposenot.Itistoomuchtoexpect.ButwhenIseethechangesinmenIdonotthinkitcangoon."

           "Whowonthefightingthissummer?"

           "Noone."

           "TheAustrianswon,"Isaid."TheykeptthemfromtakingSanGabriele.