“Do you remember me, or have I gone too far into the shades of night?
I was Leila Pierson once upon a time, and I often think of you and
wonder what you are like now, and what your girls are like. I have been
here nearly a year, working for our wounded, and for a year before that
was nursing in South Africa. My husband died five years ago out there.
Though we haven't met for I dare not think how long, I should awfully
like to see you again. Would you care to come some day and look over my
hospital? I have two wards under me; our men are rather dears.
“Your forgotten but still affectionate cousin
“LEILA LYNCH.”
“P. S. I came across a little letter you once wrote me; it brought
back old days.”
No! He had not forgotten. There was a reminder in the house. And he
looked up at Noel sitting opposite. How like the eyes were! And
he thought: 'I wonder what Leila has become. One mustn't be
uncharitable. That man is dead; she has been nursing two years. She must
be greatly changed; I should certainly like to see her. I will go!'
Again he looked at Noel. Only yesterday she had renewed her request to
be allowed to begin her training as a nurse.
“I'm going to see a hospital to-day, Nollie,” he said; “if you
like, I'll make enquiries. I'm afraid it'll mean you have to begin
by washing up.”
“I know; anything, so long as I do begin.”
“Very well; I'll see about it.” And he went back to his egg.
Noel's voice roused him. “Do you feel the war much, Daddy? Does
it hurt you here?” She had put her hand on her heart. “Perhaps it
doesn't, because you live half in the next world, don't you?”
The words: “God forbid,” sprang to Pierson's lips; he did not
speak them, but put his egg-spoon down, hurt and bewildered. What did
the child mean? Not feel the war! He smiled.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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