e well in no
time, and I must go back. Think how foolish it would be, if I was to
say, 'Oh, yes, I fought for two days in the great war.' You would be
ashamed of me, and that little cousin of yours, Lucia, she would think
me a fine soldier."

Lucia laughed aloud and the voices stopped.

Maria's cheeks flushed and she jumped up.

"Are you awake, dear?" she asked hurriedly, "then I will go and tell
Sister Francesca and the Doctor."

She hurried off. Lucia sat up and looked at Roderigo. She was a sorry
sight in her muddy clothes, and her hair fell about her shoulders.

"You are a fine soldier, Roderigo Vicello," she said impulsively, "and
I would say so if you had only fought for one day, for I know how brave
you are. But you are right to want to go back."

"Yes, I am right," Roderigo replied. He stretched out his hand and
Lucia slipped hers into it.

"We have been comrades, you and I," he said, "and we understand why."

Lucia nodded gravely. She felt suddenly very proud.

The Doctor came back a minute later with Maria.

"Well, are you rested enough to be moved?" he asked, smiling.

"Oh, yes I am quite all right," Lucia assured him.

"Well, I wouldn't brag too much," the Doctor laughed. "You'll find you
are pretty shaky. Sister Francesca has a little room fixed for you and
some clean clothes; how does that sound?"

Lucia smiled in reply, and the American came over at the Doctor's call.

"Think you can manage to carry the little lady, Lathrop?" he asked.

"Guess so."

Lucia felt the strong arms lift her, as if she weighed no more than a
feather. He carried her down the ward and up a flight of stairs.
Sister Francesca was waiting for them at the door of the little room.
It had been one of the sister's cells. With her help Lucia was soon in
a coarse white nightgown and tucked in between clean sheets.

The Doctor came in to see her a little later.

"How is my soldier of the pennies?" she asked, and then as she realized
he would not understand she added, "the one I brought up the hill."

"Oh, Captain Riccardi, he's still very ill, but he is going to pull
through all right."

Lucia smiled.

"Oh, I am glad," she said. "I was so afraid, he looked so queer."

"Well, don't worry any more," the Doctor replied, "and now what do you
want?"

Lucia sighed contentedly.

"Something to eat, if you please," she said shyly, "I am very hungry."

CHAPTER XIII

AN INTERRUPTED DREAM

A week pas