Moritz Abel stepped nearer. In the silence Peter grew embarrassed. What he had said would sound without footing since the poet did not understand the trend of his thoughts. He meant to, add what the long night signified, and wanted his saying really known for what it was—an of pure passion against the destruction of genius. The other replied, making all explanation unnecessary:
“I knew you for one of us. It is the long night, but it is a great honor for us to be here and at work.”
“Where are your companions?”
The Russian smiled. “They are all about through the dark of the long night. We may only signal in passing. In fact, I must go now—”
The surgeon in charge had entered. Peter went to Samarc's cot, steeling himself. “Samarc,” he whispered, without bending, “Samarc—”
The wounded man stirred a little, moaned, but did not answer.... In the far corner Boylan was moving cots (occupants and all) closer together for the admission of more. His sleeves were rolled. Near him a little woman, whose waist was no larger than the white revelation of Boylan's forearm, was directing the way, the giant of the Polar Failure struggling to please. Something of ease and uplift had come to Peter from this, and from the passing of Moritz Abel. Silently battling with Dabnitz, with Kohlvihr, with king's desire and the animal of men, was this service-thing greater than all, greater than death.... A soldier called and he went toward the voice. Presently Peter was jockeying him into good humor with low talk.
All day the battle tortured the southern distance—the cannonading nearer, as the hours . The Austrians were holding their own or better. It was the fiercest resistance which the Russian columns had as yet encountered. All afternoon wounded were brought back. It became more and more difficult to move among the cots in the building. So it was with all Judenbach that was not in ruins. Twice through the afternoon there were volleys in the court below; and when the two went for food, they saw a soldier carrying baskets of dirt from the street, and covering the stone flags close to the main building.... And from that grim house a little down the street, came at , shocking their senses, the outcry as of murder taking place.... Boylan went down into the field an hour before sunset, Peter back to the hospital.
“I'll see what I can find,” Big Belt remarked. “You're right to go back, Peter. As for me, I can stand it better outdoors.”
Crossing the street, it seemed to Peter that he had been in Judenbach certain ages, a reckonable space of eternity—despite the lowering sun which calmly informed him that at this time yesterday the Austrians had found the range of Samarc's battery with a shrapnel or two. Many things had come to him. He wished as never before for a free cable.... Boylan came in at dark and drew him away from Samarc's cot.
“I'll be back to-night,” Peter promised.
“...There's been no break in the check to-day,” Big Belt reported. “Kohlvihr's division, and the forces surrounding, are part of the great right wing, and this right is holding up the whole Russian command. I heard Kohlvihr explaining to the Commander's aide that the Austrians here had been reinforced; that they gave us Judenbach for the taking yesterday, in order to fall back into the hills beyond. The center and left, it appears, is clear, ready to fight on to Berlin or Budapest, but the whole line is held up for this right wing. Kohlvihr is desperate. There'll be a hard pull to get across the hills to-morrow—all hands, Peter.”
“This may be our last night in Judenbach then?”
“If a division will start a hole across that range of hills, it's our last night—”
“I'll sit it out with Samarc,” Peter said.
“Go to it, if you think best. You were a sick woman this morning. Something in yonder helped you. I'll see you through for another treatment.”
“Boylan, don't you stay up. You've roughed it to-day and been afield. Don't let me spoil your sleep—with a big day ahead. It wasn't lack of sleep that got my nerve this morning—”
“Oh, I'll yap around till bedtime,” said the other. &ldq............