CHAPTER 12

Summary

In the field hospital, HenryÂ’s bed was among many beds lined against the wall, to the right of which were a series of windows. When somebody died, a screen was put around the bed and the remaining patients got to see only the doctorÂ’s shoes moving back and forth. There would be whispered conversations, a priest would go in, and later, male nurses carried away the blanket-covered body. Then, the screen would be taken away.

The doctors at the hospital were anxious to move Henry to a hospital in Milan where there were better x-ray facilities, good surgeons, and therapy. There was new American hospital in Milan that catered to Americans wounded in Italy. The United States had declared war on Germany, and Henry predicted that President Wilson would shortly declare war on Austria too. The Italians would be at an advantage, since Austria was their enemy too. Henry got drunk with Rinaldi and the major who had come to see him. Forty-eight hours later, Henry was shifted to the American hospital in Milan. Catherine too would go to that hospital as a nurse.

Notes

Henry and Catherine now reach Milan, and there will be progress in their love story. Many realistic details of war and war hospitals are expertly presented in this chapter. The conversation between the major, Rinaldi, and Henry are recorded as they talk. They talk of wine, food, politics, women, hospital life, nurses, and life in cities.

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