"Confound the thing!" growled Cameron.
"Oh come, you needn't put up any bluff with me, you know," said the
Sergeant.
But Cameron made no reply. He felt he was not ready for the interview
before him. He was distinctly conscious of a feeling of nervous
embarrassment, which to a man of experience is disconcerting and
annoying. He could not make up his mind as to the attitude which it
would be wise and proper for him to assume toward--ah--Nurse Haley. Why
not resume relations at the point at which they were broken off in the
orchard that September afternoon a year and a half ago? Why not? Mandy
was apparently greatly changed, greatly improved. Well, he was delighted
at the improvement, and he would frankly let her see his pleasure and
approval. There was no need for embarrassment. Pshaw! Embarrassment? He
felt none.
And yet as he stood at the door of the nurses' tent he was disquieted to
find himself nervously wondering what in thunder he should talk about.
As it turned out there was no cause for nervousness on this score. The
little nurse and the doctor--Nurse Haley being on duty--kept the stream
of talk rippling and sparkling in an unbroken flow. Whenever a pause did
occur they began afresh with Cameron and his achievements, of which they
strove to make him talk.
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