The risen private came on a dozen paces, halted hesitatingly, and stared once more.  The nurse, who had drooped again after the departure of the second lieutenant, now drew a long breath, threw up her shoulders, and half turned as if to reenter the church.  The hesitating private, beholding the new angle of her face thus revealed to him, darted swiftly forward with a cry that was formless but eloquent.  The nurse stayed motionless, but with eyes widened upon the approaching figure.  The advancing private had risen wearily, and his first steps toward the church had been tired, dragging steps, but for the later distance he became agile and swift, running as one refreshed.  The fat private on the stone observed the little play.

The couple stood at last, tensely, face to face.  The watcher beheld the girl’s eyes rest with wild wonder upon the newcomer, eyes that were steady, questioning green flames.  He saw her form stiffen, her shoulders go back, her arms rise, her clenched hands spread apart in a gesture that was something of fear but all of allure.  The newcomer’s own hands widened to meet hers, the girl’s wrists writhed into his tightened grasp, her own hands clasped his arms and crept slowly, tightly along the dusty sleeves of his blouse.  Still her eyes were eyes of wild wonder, searching his face.  They had not spoken, but now the hands of each clutched the shoulders of the other for the briefest of seconds.  Then came a swift enveloping manoeuvre, and the girl was held in a close embrace.

The watching private studied the mechanics of this engagement with an expert eye.  He saw the girl’s arms run to tighten about the soldier’s neck.  He saw her face lift.  The soldier’s helmet obscured much of what ensued, and the watcher called softly.  “Hats off in front!” Then fastidiously dusting the back of one hand, he kissed it audibly.  Behind him, across the square, a score of recumbent privates were roused to emulation.  Dusting the backs of their hands they kissed them both tenderly and audibly.

The two by the church were oblivious of this applause.  Their arms still held each other.  Neither had spoken.  The girl’s face was set in wonder, in shining unbelief, yet a little persuaded.  They were apart the reach of their arms.

“As you were!” ordered the fat private in low tones, and with a little rush they became as they were.  Again the girl’s arms ran to tighten about the soldier’s neck.  The watcher noticed their earnest constrictions.

“I bet that lad never reads his dice wrong,” he murmured, admiringly.  “Oh, lady, lady!  Will you watch him June her!”

He here became annoyed to observe that his cigarette had been burning wastefully.  He snapped off its long ash and drew tremendously upon it.  The two were still close, but now they talked.  He heard sounds of amazement, of dismay, from the girl.

“Put a comether on her before she knew it,” explained the private to himself.