She took him into the house and washed his head for him. After she saw how serious the cuts were she insisted on sending for a doctor. When his wounds were dressed she fed him and made him lie down and sleep on her father’s bed.
The sun was sliding down the heavens to a crotch in the hills before he joined her again. She was in front of the house clipping her roses.
“Is the invalid better?” she asked him.
“He’s a false alarm. But he did have a mighty thumping headache that has gone now.”
“I’ve been wondering why you didn’t meet Lieutenant O’Connor. He must have taken the road you came in on.”
The young man’s eyes lit. “Is Bucky here already?” 227
“He was. He’s gone. I was greatly disappointed in him. He’s not half the man you think he is.”
“Oh, but he is. Everybody says so.”
“I never saw a more conceited man, or a more hateful one. There’s something about him—oh, I don’t know. But he isn’t good. I’m sure of that.”
“His reputation isn’t of that kind. They say he’s devoted to his wife and kids.”