Rinaldi was talking with the other nurse. They were laughing.

“What an odd thing⁠—to be in the Italian army.”

“It’s not really the army. It’s only the ambulance.”

“It’s very odd though. Why did you do it?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “There isn’t always an explanation for everything.”

“Oh, isn’t there? I was brought up to think there was.”

“That’s awfully nice.”

“ Do we have to go on and talk this way?”

“No,” I said.

“That’s a relief. Isn’t it?”