Neither did Nona mention that Barbara might also have to clear herself of an impossible suspicion. But she was not sorry that Richard Thornton was to be with his wife for the next few days. If any difficulty should arise, Dick’s reputation was a sufficient guarantee for them both.
CHAPTER XVII
An Explanation which did not Explain
FOLLOWING his letter, the next afternoon Richard Thornton arrived at the American hospital on a short visit to his wife.
He looked thin, but bronzed and strong, and intensely enthusiastic over his recent ambulance work. Since the United States had entered the war with the Allies, the American ambulance men were permitted to run greater risks and to render more valuable service.
On his breast Richard Thornton wore the medal of the Croix de Guerre, presented him by the French government for bravery under fire. With six other ambulance men he had been present at a gas attack near Verdun and with them had succeeded in rescuing nearly a thousand soldiers.
Preferring to tell Barbara the news himself, Dick had not written her of his recent honor.
The thought of his wife’s being in France at the same time with him and engaged in Red Cross work was seldom out of Dick Thornton’s mind; nevertheless, he had not allowed his unceasing desire to see her to interfere for a moment with his work. Not until he believed he had earned a short respite did Dick ask for and receive a short leave of absence.
Therefore, during her husband’s stay, Eugenia arranged that Barbara should have but few duties at the hospital, that she might remain continuously with him.
Only Eugenia asked as a favor that on some afternoon Dick go in with her for a brief call upon Captain Castaigne. From his wife’s letters Dick, of course, knew of Captain Castaigne’s condition and of the strange discovery of him.
It was two days after Dick’s arrival when, one afternoon just before dinner, Eugenia and Dick decided to make their visit.