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THE AMAZING INTERLUDE
Carnegie； who had built a library in her city。 She felt that the expense to
him of sending some one over to investigate would not be prohibitive； and
something must be done。
She never heard from either of her letters； but she felt better for having
written them。 And a day or two later she received from Mrs。 Travers； in
England； a small supply of the first gas masks of the war。 Simple and
primitive they were； those first masks； useless； too； as it turned out … a
square of folded gauze； soaked in some solution and then dried； with tapes
to tie it over the mouth and nose。 To adjust them the soldiers had but to
stoop and wet them in the ever…present water in the trench； and then to tie
them on。
Sara Lee gave them out that night； and there was much mirth in the
little house； such mirth as there had not been since Henri went away。 The
Belgians called it a bal masque； and putting them on bowed before one
another and requested dances； and even flirted coyly with each other over
their bits of white gauze。 And in the very middle of the gayety some one
propounded one of Henri's idiotic riddles； and Sara Lee went across to her
little room and closed the door and stood there with her eyes shut； for fear
she would scream。
Then； one day； coming out of the little church； she saw the low broken
gray car turn in at the top of the street and come slowly； so very slowly；
toward her。 There were two men in it。
One was Henri。
She ran； stumbling because of tears； up the street。 It was Henri！ There
was no mistake。 There he sat beside Jean； brushed and very neat； and very；
very white。
〃Mademoiselle！〃 he said； and came very close to crying himself when
he saw her face。 He was greatly excited。 His sunken eyes devoured her as
she ran toward him。 Almost he held out his arms。 But he could not do that；
even if he would； for one was bandaged to his side。
It is rather sad to record how many times Sara Lee wept during her
amazing interlude。 For here is another time。 She wept for joy and
wretchedness。 She stood on the running board and cried and smiled。 And
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THE AMAZING INTERLUDE
Jean winked his one eye rapidly。
〃This idiot； mademoiselle；〃 he said gruffly； 〃this maniac … he would
not remain in Calais； with proper care。 He must come on here。 And rapidly。
Could he have taken the wheel from me we should have been here an hour
ago。 But for once I have an advantage。〃
The car jolted to the little house； and Jean helped Henri out。 Such a
strange Henri； smiling and joyous； and walking at a crawl； even with
Jean's support。 He protested violently against being put to bed； and when
he found himself led into Sara Lee's small room he openly rebelled。
〃Never！〃 he said stubbornly； halting in the doorway。 〃This is
mademoiselle's boudoir。 Her drawing…room as well。 I am going to the mill
house and …〃
He staggered。
So Sara Lee's room had a different occupant for a time； a thin and fine…
worn young Belgian； who yielded to Sara Lee when Jean gave up in
despair； and who proceeded； most unmanfully； to faint as soon as he was
between the blankets。
If Sara Lee hoped to nurse Henri she was doomed to disappointment。
Jean it was who took over the care of the boy； a Jean who now ate
prodigiously； and whistled occasionally； and slept at night robed in his
blanket on the floor beside Henri's bed； lest that rebellious invalid get up
and try to move about。
On the first night； with the door closed； against Henri's entreaties；
while the little house received its evening complement of men； and with
Henri lying back on his pillows； fresh dressed as to the wounds in his arm
and chest； fed with Sara Lee's daintiest； and resting； Jean found the boy's
eyes resting on the mantel。
〃Dear and obstinate friend；〃 said Henri； 〃do you wish me to be
happy？〃
〃You shall not leave the room or your bed。 That is arranged for。〃
〃How？〃 demanded Henri with interest。
Because I have hidden away your trousers。〃
Henri laughed； but he sobered quickly。
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THE AMAZING INTERLUDE
〃If you wish me to be happy；〃 he said； 〃take away that American
photograph。 But first； please to bring it here。〃
Jean brought it； holding it gingerly between his thumb and forefinger。
And Henri lay back and studied it。
〃It is mademoiselle's fiance；〃 he said。
Jean grunted。
〃Look at it； Jean；〃 Henri said in his half…bantering tone； with despair
beneath it； 〃and then look at me。 Or no … remembering me as I was when I
was a man。 He is better； eh？ It is a good face。 But there is a jaw； a … Do
you think he will be kind to her as she requires？ She requires much
kindness。 Some women …〃
He broke off and watched Jean anxiously。
〃A half face！〃 Jean said scornfully。 〃The pretty view！ As for kindness …
〃 He put the photograph face down on the table。 〃I knew once a man in
Belgium who married an American。 At Antwerp。 They were most
unhappy。〃
Henri smiled。
〃You are lying；〃 he said with boyish pleasure in his own astuteness。
〃You knew no such couple。 You are trying to make me resigned。〃
But quite a little later； when Jean thought he was asleep； he said： 〃I
shall never be resigned。〃
So at last spring had come； and Henri and the great spring drive。 The
Germans had not drained the inundation； nor had they broken through to
Calais。 And it is not to be known here how much this utter failure had been
due to the information Henri had secured before he was wounded。
One day in his bed Henri received a visit from the King； and was left
lying with a decoration on his breast and a beatific； if somewhat sheepish；
expression on his face。 And one night the village was bombarded； and on
Henri's refusing to be moved to the cellar Sara Lee took up a determined
stand in his doorway； until at last he made a most humiliating move for
safety。
Bit by bit Sara Lee got the story； its bare detail from Henri； its courage
and sheer recklessness from Jean。 It would； for instance； run like this； with
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THE AMAZING INTERLUDE
Henri in a chair perhaps； and cutting dressings … since that might be done
with one hand … and Sara Lee； sleeves rolled up and a