Summary

Chapter 5: The narrator goes to visit Catherine again the next afternoon, but is stopped by the head nurse. She reminds him that Catherine is working, as there is a war going on. The head nurse is suspicious of the narrator because he is American, yet working for the Italian Army. The narrator reflects on the spot where the next offensive battle is planned. There is only one way out, near a bridgehead, but he is hopeful that a road under construction will help the soldiers stay safe. Readers hear the narrator’s name, Henry, for the first time when he goes to visit Catherine. Helen is with Catherine when he arrives, and she excuses herself to go write a letter, addressing him as “Mr. Henry.” As Catherine and Henry discuss the war, she explains that the nurses have to stay out of sight because the...