He's going fast." Curious advice, yet good for her.

And Ailsa rose and fled; but a moment later, seated at the side of the dying man, all thought of self vanished in the silent tragedy taking place before her.
"Davis ?" she whispered.
The man opened his sunken eyes as the sleepy steward rose, gave his bedside chair to Ailsa, and replaced the ominous screen.
"I am here, Private Davis," she said cheerily, winking away the last tear drop.
Then the man sighed deeply, rested his thin cheek against her hand, and lay very, very still.
At midnight he died as he lay.

She scarcely realised it at first.
And when at length she did, she disengaged her chilled hand, closed his eyes, drew the covering over his face, and, stepping from behind the screen, motioned to the steward on duty.
Descending the stairs, her pale, pensive glance rested on the locket flashing on its chain over the scarlet heart sewn on her breast.

Somehow, at thought of Hallam waiting for her below, she halted on the stairway, one finger twisted in the gold chain.

And presently the thought of Hallam reminded her of the trooper and the hot dinner she had promised the poor fellow.