Прощай, оружие!

           Boththegirlsnoddedtheirheadsandtheeldersaidsomethingindialect.

           "That’sallright,"Bartolomeosaid."That’sallright."

           Boththegirlsseemedcheered.

           IleftthemsittingtogetherwithAymosittingbackinthecornerandwentbacktoPiani’scar.Thecolumnofvehiclesdidnotmovebutthetroopskeptpassingalongside.ItwasstillraininghardandIthoughtsomeofthestopsinthemovementofthecolumnmightbefromcarswithwetwiring.Morelikelytheywerefromhorsesormengoingtosleep.Still,trafficcouldtieupincitieswheneveryonewasawake.Itwasthecombinationofhorseandmotorvehicles.Theydidnothelpeachotherany.Thepeasants’cartsdidnothelpmucheither.ThosewereacoupleoffinegirlswithBarto.Aretreatwasnoplacefortwovirgins.Realvirgins.Probablyveryreligious.Iftherewerenowarwewouldprobablyallbeinbed.InbedIlaymedownmyhead.Bedandboard.Stiffasaboardinbed.Catherinewasinbednowbetweentwosheets,overherandunderher.Whichsidedidshesleepon?Maybeshewasn’tasleep.Maybeshewaslyingthinkingaboutme.Blow,blow,yewesternwind.Well,itblewanditwasn’tthesmallrainbutthebigraindownthatrained.Itrainedallnight.Youknewitraineddownthatrained.Lookatit.Christ,thatmylovewereinmyarmsandIinmybedagain.ThatmyloveCatherine.ThatmysweetloveCatherinedownmightrain.Blowheragaintome.Well,wewereinit.Everyonewascaughtinitandthesmallrainwouldnotquietit.