永别了,武器(英文版)海明威著-第13部分

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〃Very　clean；〃　said　the　house　doctor。　〃Very　clean　and　nice。〃
〃Urn；〃　said　the　doctor　with　the　beard。　The　third　doctor　looked　over　the　house　doctor's　shoulder。
〃Please　move　the　knee；〃　said　the　bearded　doctor。
〃I　can't。〃
〃Test　the　articulation？〃　the　bearded　doctor　questioned。　He　had　a　stripe　beside　the　three　stars　on　his　sleeve。　That　meant　he　was　a　first　captain。
〃Certainly；〃　the　house　doctor　said。　Two　of　them　took　hold　of　my　right　leg　very　gingerly　and　bent　it。
〃That　hurts；〃　I　said。
〃Yes。　Yes。　A　little　further；　doctor。〃
〃That's　enough。　That's　as　far　as　it　goes；〃　I　said。
〃Partial　articulation；〃　said　the　first　captain。　He　straightened　up。　〃May　I　see　the　plates　again；　please；　doctor？〃　The　third　doctor　handed　him　one　of　the　plates。　〃No。　The　left　leg；　please。〃
〃That　is　the　left　leg；　doctor。〃
〃You　are　right。　I　was　looking　from　a　different　angle。〃　He　returned　the　plate。　The　other　plate　he　examined　for　some　time。　〃You　see；　doctor？〃　he　pointed　to　one　of　the　foreign　bodies　which　showed　spherical　and　clear　against　the　light。　They　examined　the　plate　for　some　time。
〃Only　one　thing　I　can　say；〃　the　first　captain　with　the　beard　said。　〃It　is　a　question　of　time。　Three　months；　six　months　probably。〃
〃Certainly　the　synovial　fluid　must　re…form。〃
〃Certainly。　It　is　a　question　of　time。　I　could　not　conscientiously　open　a　knee　like　that　before　the　projectile　was　encysted。〃
〃I　agree　with　you；　doctor。〃
〃Six　months　for　what？〃　I　asked。
〃Six　months　for　the　projectile　to　encyst　before　the　knee　can　be　opened　safely。〃
〃I　don't　believe　it；〃　I　said。
〃Do　you　want　to　keep　your　knee；　young　man？〃
〃No；〃　I　said。
〃What？〃
〃I　want　it　cut　off；〃　I　said；　〃so　I　can　wear　a　hook　on　it。〃
〃What　do　you　mean？　A　hook？〃
〃He　is　joking；〃　said　the　house　doctor。　He　patted　my　shoulder　very　delicately。　〃He　wants　to　keep　his　knee。　This　is　a　very　brave　young　man。　He　has　been　proposed　for　the　silver　medal　of　valor。〃
〃All　my　felicitations；〃　said　the　first　captain。　He　shook　my　hand。　〃I　can　only　say　that　to　be　on　the　safe　side　you　should　wait　at　least　six　months　before　opening　such　a　knee。　You　are　wele　of　course　to　another　opinion。〃
〃Thank　you　very　much；〃　I　said。　〃I　value　your　opinion。〃
The　first　captain　looked　at　his　watch。
〃We　must　go；〃　he　said。　〃All　my　best　wishes。〃
〃All　my　best　wishes　and　many　thanks；〃　I　said。　I　shook　hands　with　the　third　doctor。　〃Capitano　Varini……Tenente　Enry；〃　and　they　all　three　went　out　of　the　room。
〃Miss　Gage；〃　I　called。　She　came　in。　〃Please　ask　the　house　doctor　to　e　back　a　minute。〃
He　came　in　holding　his　cap　and　stood　by　the　bed。　〃Did　you　wish　to　see　me？〃
〃Yes。　I　can't　wait　six　months　to　be　operated　on。　My　God；　doctor；　did　you　ever　stay　in　bed　six　months？〃
〃You　won't　be　in　bed　all　the　time。　You　must　first　have　the　wounds　exposed　to　the　sun。　Then　afterward　you　can　be　on　crutches。〃
〃For　six　months　and　then　have　an　operation？〃
〃That　is　the　safe　way。　The　foreign　bodies　must　be　allowed　to　encyst　and　the　synovial　fluid　will　re…form。　Then　it　will　be　safe　to　open　up　the　knee。〃
〃Do　you　really　think　yourself　I　will　have　to　wait　that　long？〃
〃That　is　the　safe　way。〃
〃Who　is　that　first　captain？〃
〃He　is　a　very　excellent　surgeon　of　Milan。〃
〃He's　a　first　captain；　isn't　he？〃
〃Yes；　but　he　is　an　excellent　surgeon。〃
〃I　don't　want　my　leg　fooled　with　by　a　first　captain。　If　he　was　any　good　he　would　be　made　a　major。　I　know　what　a　first　captain　is；　doctor。〃
〃He　is　an　excellent　surgeon　and　I　would　rather　have　his　judgment　than　any　surgeon　I　know。〃
〃Could　another　surgeon　see　it？〃
〃Certainly　if　you　wish。　But　I　would　take　Dr。　Varella's　opinion　myself。〃
〃Could　you　ask　another　surgeon　to　e　and　see　it？〃
〃I　will　ask　Valentini　to　e。〃
〃Who　is　he？〃
〃He　is　a　surgeon　of　the　Ospedale　Maggiore。〃
〃Good。　I　appreciate　it　very　much。　You　understand；　doctor；　I　couldn't　stay　in　bed　six　months。〃
〃You　would　not　be　in　bed。　You　would　first　take　a　sun　cure。　Then　you　could　have　light　exercise。　Then　when　it　was　encysted　we　would　operate。〃
〃But　I　can't　wait　six　months。〃
The　doctor　spread　his　delicate　fingers　on　the　cap　he　held　and　smiled。　〃You　are　in　such　a　hurry　to　get　back　to　the　front？〃
〃Why　not？〃
〃It　is　very　beautiful；〃　he　said。　〃You　are　a　noble　young　man。〃　He　stooped　over　and　kissed　me　very　delicately　on　the　forehead。　〃I　will　send　for　Valentini。　Do　not　worry　and　excite　yourself。　Be　a　good　boy。〃
〃Will　you　have　a　drink？〃　I　asked。
〃No　thank　you。　I　never　drink　alcohol。〃
〃Just　have　one。〃　I　rang　for　the　porter　to　bring　glasses。
〃No。　No　thank　you。　They　are　waiting　for　me。〃
〃Good…by；〃　I　said。
〃Good…by。〃
Two　hours　later　Dr。　Valentini　came　into　the　room。　He　was　in　a　great　hurry　and　the　points　of　his　mustache　stood　straight　up。　He　was　a　major；　his　face　was　tanned　and　he　laughed　all　the　time。
〃How　did　you　do　it；　this　rotten　thing？〃　he　asked。　〃Let　me　see　the　plates。　Yes。　Yes。　That's　it。　You　look　healthy　as　a　goat。　Who's　the　pretty　girl？　Is　she　your　girl？　I　thought　so。　Isn't　this　a　bloody　war？　How　does　that　feel？　You　are　a　fine　boy。　I'll　make　you　better　than　new。　Does　that　hurt？　You　bet　it　hurts。　How　they　love　to　hurt　you；　these　doctors。　What　have　they　done　for　you　so　far？　Can't　that　girl　talk　Italian？　She　should　learn。　What　a　lovely　girl。　I　could　teach　her。　I　will　be　a　patient　here　myself。　No；　but　I　will　do　all　your　maternity　work　free。　Does　she　understand　that？　She　will　make　you　a　fine　boy。　A　fine　blonde　like　she　is。　That's　fine。　That's　all　right。　What　a　lovely　girl。　Ask　her　if　she　eats　supper　with　me。　No　I　won't　take　her　away　from　you。　Thank　you。　Thank　you　very　much；　Miss。　That's　all。〃
〃That's　all　I　want　to　know。〃　He　patted　me　on　the　shoulder。　〃Leave　the　dressings　off。〃
〃Will　you　have　a　drink；　Dr。　Valentini？〃
〃A　drink？　Certainly。　I　will　have　ten　drinks。　Where　are　they？〃
〃In　the　armoire。　Miss　Barkley　will　get　the　bottle。〃
〃Cheery　oh。　Cheery　oh　to　you；　Miss。　What　a　lovely　girl。　I　will　bring　you　better　cognac　than　that。〃　He　wiped　his　mustache。
〃When　do　you　think　it　can　be　operated　on？〃
〃To…morrow　morning。　Not　before。　Your　stomach　must　be　emptied。　You　must　be　washed　out。　I　will　see　the　old　lady　downstairs　and　leave　instructions。　Good…by。　I　see　you　to…morrow。　I'll　bring　you　better　cognac　than　that。　You　are　very　fortable　here。　Good…by。　Until　to…morrow。　Get　a　good　sleep。　I'll　see　you　early。〃　He　waved　from　the　doorway；　his　mustaches　went　straight　up；　his　brown　face　was　smiling。　There　was　a　star　in　a　box　on　his　sleeve　because　he　was　a　major。




16


That　night　a　bat　flew　into　the　room　through　the　open　door　that　led　onto　the　balcony　and　through　which　we　watched　the　night　over　the　roofs　of　the　town。　It　was　dark　in　our　room　except　for　the　small　light　of　the　night　over　the　town　and　the　bat　was　not　frightened　but　hunted　in　the　room　as　though　he　had　been　outside。　We　lay　and　watched　him　and　I　do　not　think　he　saw　us　because　we　lay　so　still。　After　he　went　out　we　saw　a　searchlight　e　on　and　watched　the　beam　move　across　the　sky　and　then　go　off　and　it　was　dark　again。　A　breeze　came　in　the　night　and　we　heard　the　men　of　the　anti…aircraft　gun　on　the　next　roof　talking。　It　was　cool　and　they　were　putting　on　their　capes。　I　worried　in　the　night　about　some　one　ing　up　but　Catherine　said　they　were　all　asleep。　Once　in　the　night　we　went　to　sleep　and　when　I　woke　she　was　not　there　but　I　heard　her　ing　along　the　hall　and　the　door　opened　and　she　came　back　to　the　bed　and　said　it　was　all　right　she　had　been　downstairs　and　they　were　all　asleep。　She　had　been　outside　Miss　Van　Campen's　door　and　heard　her　breathing　in　her　sleep。　She　brought　crackers　and　we　ate　them　and　drank　some　vermouth。　We　were　very　hungry　but　she　said　that　would　all　have　to　be　gotten　out　of　me　in　the　morning。　I　went　to　sleep　again　in　the　morning　when　it　was　light　and　when　I　was　awake　I　found　she　was　gone　again。　She　came　in　looking　fresh　and　lovely　and　sat　on　the　bed　and　the　sun　rose　while　I　had　the　thermometer　in　my　mouth　and　we　smelled　the　dew　on　the　roofs　and　then　the　coffee　of　the　men　at　the　gun　on　the　next　roof。
〃I　wish　we　could　go　for　a　walk；〃　Catherine　said。　〃I'd　wheel　you　if　we　had　a　chair。〃
〃How　would　I　get　into　the　chair？〃
〃We'd　do　it。〃
〃We　could　go　out　to　the　park　and　have　breakfast　outdoors。〃　I　looked　out　the　open　doorway。
〃What　we'll　really　do；〃　she　said；　〃is　get　you　ready　for　your　friend　Dr。　Valentini。〃
〃I　thought　he　was　grand。〃
〃I　didn't　like　him　as　much　as　you　did。　But　I　imagine　he's　very　good。〃
〃e　back　to　bed；　Catherine。　Please；〃　I　said。
〃I　can't。　Didn't　we　have　a　lovely　night？〃
〃And　can　you　be　on　night　duty　to…night？〃
〃I　probably　will。　But　you　won't　want　me。〃
〃Yes；　I　will。〃
〃No；　you　won't。　You've　never　been　operated　on。　You　don't　know　how　you'll　be。〃
〃I'll　be　all　right。〃
〃You'll　be　sick　and　I　won't　be　anything　to　you。〃
〃e　back　then　now。〃
〃No；〃　she　said。　〃I　have　to　do　the　chart；　darling；　and　fix　you　up。〃
〃You　don't　really　love　me　or　you'd　e　back　again。〃
〃You're　such　a　silly　boy。〃　She　kissed　me。　〃That's　all　right　for　the　chart。　Your　temperature's　always　normal。　You've　such　a　lovely　temperature。〃
〃You've　got　a　lovely　everything。〃
〃Oh　no。　You　have　the　lovely　temperature。　I'm　awfully　proud　of　your　temperature。〃
〃Maybe　all　our　children　will　have　fine　temperatures。〃
〃Our　children　will　probably　have　beastly　temperatures。〃
〃What　do　you　have　to　do　to　get　me　ready　for　Valentini？〃
〃Not　much。　But　quite　unpleasant。〃
〃I　wish　you　didn't　have　to　do　it。〃
〃I　don't。　I　don't　want　any　one　else　to　touch　you。　I'm　silly。　I　get　furious　if　they　couch　you。〃
〃Even　Ferguson？〃
〃Especially　Ferguson　and　Gage　and　the　other；　what's　her　name？〃
〃Walker？〃
〃That's　it。　They've　too　many　nurses　here　now。　There　must　be　some　more　patients　or　they'll　send　us　away。　They　have　four　nurses　now。〃
〃Perhaps　there'll　be　some。　They　need　that　many　nurses。　It's　quite　a　big　hospital。〃
〃I　hope　some　will　e。　What　would　I　do　if　they　sent　me　away？　They　will　unless　there　are　more　patients。〃
〃I'd　go　too。〃
〃Don't　be　silly。　You　can't　go　yet。　But　get　well　quickly；　darling；　and　we　will　go　somewhere。〃
〃And　then　what？〃
〃Maybe　the　war　will　be　over。　It　can't　always　go　on。〃
〃I'll　get　well；〃　I　said。　〃Valentini　will　fix　me。〃
〃He　should　with　those　mustaches。　And；　darling；　when　you're　going　under　the　ether　just　think　about　something　else……not　us。　Because　people　get　very　blabby　under　an　anaesthetic。〃
〃What　should　I　think　about？〃
〃Anything。　Anything　but　us。　Think　about　your　people。　Or　even　any　other　girl。〃
〃No。''
〃Say　your　prayers　then。　That　ought　to　create　a　splendid　impression。〃
〃Maybe　I　won't　talk。〃
〃That's　true。　Often　people　don't　talk。〃
〃I　won't　talk。〃
〃Don't　brag；　darling。　Please　don't　brag。　You're　so　sweet　and　you　don't　have　to　brag。〃
〃I　won't　talk　a　word。〃
〃Now　you're　bragging；　darling。　You　know　you　don't　need　to　brag。　Just　start　your　prayers　or　poetry　or　something　when　they　tell　you　to　breathe　deeply。　You'll　be　lovely　that　way　and　I'll　be　so　proud　of　you。　I'm　very　proud　of　you　anyway。　You　have　such　a　lovely　temperature　and　you　sleep　like　a　little　boy　with　your　arm　around　the　pillow　and　think　it's　me。　Or　is　it　some　other　girl？　Some　fine　Italian　girl？〃
〃It's　you。〃
〃Of　course　it's　me。　Oh　I　do　love　you　and　Valentini　will　make　you　a　fine　leg。　I'm　glad　I　don't　have　to　watch　it。〃
〃And　you'll　be　on　night　duty　to…night。〃
〃Yes。　But　you　won'