"
"But it's solution will have to be deferred, my good Monsieur Delorme,
and so you'd better quit thumping my head so hard. Give me that
certificate, because if you don't I'll get up and go without it. Don't
you hear those guns out there, doctor? Why, they're calling to me all
the time. They tell me, strong and well, again, to come at once and join
my comrades of the Strangers, who are fighting the enemy."
"You shall go in the morning," said Surgeon Delorme, putting his broad
hand upon young Scott's head. "The effects of the concussion will have
vanished then."
"But I want to get up now and put on my uniform; can't I?"
"I know no reason why you shouldn't. There's a huge fellow named Picard
around here who has been watching over you, and who has your uniform.
I'll call him."
When John was dressed he walked with Picard into the edge of the forest.
His first steps were wavering, and his head swam a little, but in a few
minutes the dizziness disappeared and his walk became steady and
elastic. He was his old self again, strong in every fiber. He would
certainly be with the Strangers the next morning.
Many more of the wounded, thousands of them, were lying or sitting on
the short grass in the forest. They were the less seriously hurt, and
they were cheerful. Some of them sang.
"They'll be going back to the army fast," said Picard. "Unless they're
torn by shrapnel nearly all the wounded get well again and quickly.
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