Page:War's dark frame (IA warsdarkframe00camp).pdf/25

Rh room they gave me had six doors and none of them possessed a key. It may sound silly, but it was late, and I was afraid, afraid of everything. I wasn't sure he would come back at all, and if he didn't I knew I might never see him again. Strange sounds drifted from the dark street. I heard soldiers marching; queer songs in French and English; far off, a bugle. I was lonely, and homesick, and unhappy. I knew he wouldn't come back, and all those doors frightened me. I tried to barricade them, but I couldn't find enough chairs. Then he ran in, and he laughed at my barricade which he had had to tumble over. He had to go that night, and I walked through the dark streets with him, although he said I'd better not, because it would only make it harder for both of us. But I went, and at the military station there were soldiers everywhere, and confusion, and a train—that waited. I didn't dare look at it, but I knew when it started, for he said goodbye—

"I looked then and saw him climb into a carriage filled with soldiers. He waved his hand, shouting to an officer he knew to sec that I got back to the hotel and later to Paris where my mother would be waiting."

Her mother, good-humoured and middle-aged, laughed resentfully.