Nona shook her head almost subconsciously. Lieutenant Martin was too fine a soldier, there was too much work for him to do for this to happen.
When he turned his head away and said nothing more for a few moments, Nona leaned over and laid her hand lightly on the young officer’s. They were strong rather beautiful with breadth and yet with long, sensitive fingers.
“I would not think of this any more if I were you, not until you are entirely well. I agree with you, perhaps it may be just as wise not to make too much effort to find out the coward, unless he may be dangerous to you or to someone else at another time. Sooner or later he must reveal himself, and——”
“And I don’t count a great deal, do I? Well, I can’t say I enjoy your agreeing with me in this,” Jack Martin answered, frowning and drawing away slightly from Nona’s kindly gesture.
This time Nona did flush and, for the first time, betrayed temper.
“You know I did not mean that and you do make an effort to be disagreeable,” she returned.
This time her patient laughed.
“Perhaps I did this time, but somehow you are just a little too cool, Miss Davis; I would say too good, if I did not fear it would make you angry with me. And I don’t want you to be angry. I want you to do me a favor instead. I am better now and I won’t be so much trouble, so won’t you ask Madame Castaigne if you can take charge of me altogether both the day and night work? You could rest in between times and I promise you that from that moment I shall change from a lion into a lamb.”
“I am afraid Madame Castaigne——”
“Oh, please don’t give that excuse. I grow tired of hearing Madame Castaigne’s name. Of course I understand you can’t accept such a task. Please forget I asked you. The truth is, Nona—Miss Davis—I wish you could make up your mind to bear with me for longer than just this time of nursing. I know I only look like half a man with the other half in bandages, and I may be a boor and a bully, but you see I have never had a single woman’s affection in my life——”