“Could you ask another surgeon to come and see it?”
“I will ask Valentini to come.”
“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.”
“Goodbye,” I said.
“Goodbye.”