“I don’t believe so,” said Zaidos.
“No, I know we couldn’t,” said Helen. “He has repeatedly told me that he would never leave you. Here he comes now. Let’s try it!”
She smiled as Velo approached and drew himself up. Nurse Helen was undeniably beautiful, even in her severe uniform.
No, Velo had no intention of deserting his dear cousin. If Zaidos joined the Red Cross, so would Velo. It made no difference to him at all. If Zaidos was stationed in the trench hospitals at the front, that was where he would be found.
And two weeks later he actually did find himself there. It was in one of the lulls between engagements, and they arrived with no more excitement or danger than might attend any summer trip.
But there they were, actually in the trenches.
CHAPTER VI
A LETTER HOME
Zaidos, who was still on sick list and walked with a cane, was nevertheless put to work, in order to familiarize him with the position of the trenches. For two weeks the English had been expecting an attack, and the inaction was telling on the nerves of the officers.
The men are only kept under fire for four days. At the end of that time, they are sent back a few miles in shifts to the nearest village where they find quarters, and rest from the nerve-racking, soul-shaking clamor of guns and buzz of bullets.
The trenches were wonderful. Zaidos and Velo, the Red Cross badges on their arms giving them free passage, soon explored every inch until they were perfectly familiar with them all. Zaidos drew a sketch of the plan to send to the fellows at school.