"Will Alfred, too?" he asked eagerly.
"He is mending rapidly, but his injuries are more severe than yours. Every one here is so anxious and inquires about you," remarked the nurse.
"Why, who are looking out for us? Where are we? What place is this?" he asked wonderingly.
"This is the town of Corbie, north of Amiens. The lieutenant of your battery was badly shaken up, but he is all right now and left this afternoon. But you must be quiet; a hospital is a bad place to be excited in," said the nurse.
"Yes, I know that. We have been in the hospital before. This isn't the first time," said Ralph.
"Is that you, Ralph?" said a weak voice.
"That's Alfred, I know. And how are you?" asked Ralph.
"All right. I thought you'd never wake up. I'm all right now," said Alfred.
"Now be quiet," said the nurse soothingly. "The doctor says you must not do anything to excite yourselves."
The night passed without incident. In the morning Alfred's cot was moved over adjoining the one on which Ralph lay.