was　a　quarter…past　four　o'clock。　Out　loud　I　said；　〃Tell　the　Count　Greffi　I　will　be　in　the　billiard…room　at　five　o'clock。〃

At　a　quarter　to　five　I　kissed　Catherine　good…by　and　went　into　the　bathroom　to　dress。　Knotting　my　tie　and　looking　in　the　glass　I　looked　strange　to　myself　in　the　civilian　clothes。　I　must　remember　to　buy　some　more　shirts　and　socks。

〃Will　you　be　away　a　long　time？〃　Catherine　asked。　She　looked　lovely　in　the　bed。　〃Would　you　hand　me　the　brush？〃

I　watched　her　brushing　her　hair；　holding　her　head　so　the　weight　of　her　hair　all　came　on　one　side。　It　was　dark　outside　and　the　light　over　the　head　of　the　bed　shone　on　her　hair　and　on　her　neck　and　shoulders。　I　went　over　and　kissed　her　and　held　her　hand　with　the　brush　and　her　head　sunk　back　on　the　pillow。　I　kissed　her　neck　and　shoulders。　I　felt　faint　with　loving　her　so　much。

〃I　don't　want　to　go　away。〃

〃I　don't　want　you　to　go　away。〃

〃I　won't　go　then。〃

〃Yes。　Go。　It's　only　for　a　little　while　and　then　you'll　e　back。〃　〃We'll　have　dinner　up　here。〃

〃Hurry　and　e　back。〃

I　found　the　Count　Greffi　in　the　billiard…room。　He　was　practising　strokes；　looking　very　fragile　under　the　light　that　came　down　above　the　billiard　table。　On　a　card　table　a　little　way　beyond　the　light　was　a　silver　icing…bucket　with　the　necks　and　corks　of　two　champagne　bottles　showing　above　the　ice。　The　Count　Greffi　straightened　up　when　I　came　toward　the　table　and　walked　toward　me。　He　put　out　his　hand；　〃It　is　such　a　great　pleasure　that　you　are　here。　You　were　very　kind　to　e　to　play　with　me。〃

〃It　was　very　nice　of　you　to　ask　me。〃

〃Are　you　quite　well？　They　told　me　you　were　wounded　on　the　Isonzo。　I　hope　you　are　well　again。〃

〃I'm　very　well。　Have　you　been　well？〃

〃Oh；　I　am　always　well。