"For here we stood Just 'round the corner in that long arcade That runs between our building, next to yours. And this is what I hear--the husband's voice, Which well I knew, the officer's in command: 'Why have you brought your wife here?' asked the officer. 'Pardon, I have not done so,' said the husband. 'You're adding falsehood to the offense; you know The rules forbid your wife to pass the lines.' 'Pardon, I have not brought her,' he exclaimed In passionate earnestness. "Well, there we stood. My sweetheart, but his wife, was turned to snow, As white and cold. I got in readiness To kill the husband. How could we escape? I thought the husband had been sent away; Her coming had been timed with his departure, Arriving afterward, and we had failed. But as for that, before our feet could stir, The officer said, 'Come now, I'll prove your lie,' And in a twinkling, taking a dozen steps They turned into the arcade, there they were, The officer was shaking him and saying, 'You lie! You lie!' "All happened in a moment, The humbled, ruined fellow saw the truth, And blew his brains out on the very spot! And made a wonder, gossip for you girls-- And here I am." So Major Petain finished. Then Elenor Murray said: "Let's watch the sea." And as they sat in silence, as he turned To look upon her face, he saw the tears, Hanging like dew drops on her lashes, drip And course her cheeks. "My friend, you weep for me," The major said at last, "my gratitude For tears like these." "I weep," said Elenor Murray, "For you, but for myself. What can I say? Nothing, my friend, your soul must find its way. Only this word: I'll go to mass with you, I'll sit beside you, pray with you, for you, And do you pray for me." And then she paused. The long wash of the sea filled in the silence. And then she said again, "I'll go with you, Where we may pray, each for the other pray. I have a sorrow, too, as deep as yours." THE CONVENT Elenor Murray stole away from Nice Before her furlough ended, tense to see Something of Italy, and planned to go To Genoa, explore the ancient town Of Christopher Columbus, if she might Elude the regulation, as she did, In leaving Nice for Italy. But for her Always the dream, and always the defeat Of what she dreamed. She found herself in Florence And saw the city. But the weariness Of labor and her illness came again At intervals, and on such days she lay And heard the hours toll, wished for death and wept, Being alone and sorrowful.