However, the real truth was that she was having more enjoyment at the present time from her acquaintance with Philip Dawson than from any other source.
She had written to Sonya that she had never known so clever or so agreeable a fellow and that she was seeing him whenever either of them were free.
Something in the letter, Sonya could not have told just what, had conveyed the impression, made her a little anxious, so much so that she had even sent a short note to Eugenia, apologizing for taking her time, but inquiring just what Eugenia knew of Philip Dawson.
As Eugenia could imagine no reason for Sonya’s interest and did not take Nona’s friendship seriously, she had simply replied that she knew very little, except that Mr. Dawson was regarded as a brilliant newspaper correspondent, was very agreeable and had an excellent reputation in his profession. She also wrote that she considered Sonya need give the young man no especial consideration, as Nona was much more interested in her Red Cross nursing than in any other thing or any other person.
However, this had not persuaded Eugenia to interfere with Nona’s new friendship, nor to oppose Nona’s taking long walks with Philip Dawson two or three times a week.
Eugenia had so many cares, so many anxieties, she could not be a very watchful chaperon.
In coming abroad to do war nursing she felt that only American girls who knew enough of life to take care of themselves should be trusted with the experience.
But Eugenia was afterwards to be sorry she had not been more vigilant.
Philip Dawson and Nona in the weeks of late summer and early autumn had really explored the greater part of the nearby French countryside.
The two hours of freedom which she had each day from work, unless there was some unusual pressure, Nona liked best to spend outdoors. And never before had she known so delightful a companion.