Chapter 5: V

V The next afternoon I went to call on Miss Barkley again. She was not in the garden and I went to the side door of the villa where the ambulances drove up. Inside I saw the head nurse, who said Miss Barkley was on duty—“there’s a war on, you know.” I said I knew. “You’re the American in the Italian army?” she asked. “Yes, ma’am.” “How did you happen to do that? Why didn’t you join up with us?” “I don’t know,” I said. “Could I join now?” “I’m afraid not now. Tell me. Why di…