Part 12 (2/2)
”Well?”
”Look at that mess!” and he nodded toward a kind of clothes-hanger near the head of Bersaglierino's bed, on which were hung a hat with c.o.c.k plumes, a coat, with a pair of trousers all torn and ragged and dirty. It was the uniform the brave young soldier had worn on the field and which Fatina had hidden under the bed a little while ago.
Fatina didn't know what to say. The sudden appearance of this clothes-hanger, ... those clothes spread out, affected her so that she had no thought of the major or of his rage, which escaped in such violent outbursts that they would have started a windmill going.
The King had approached Bersaglierino, and General Win-the-War presented him, with these words:
”Your Majesty, this brave soldier has been proposed for the medal of valor for the following reasons: enrolled as a volunteer, he took part in the first battles with the enemy, giving an example of courage and discipline; he volunteered to blow up the enemy wire defenses; he carried out the a.s.signment given him, and, unhurt himself, he tried to free a comrade caught on the barbed wire and managed to put to flight an enemy patrol which attacked him. Then he was. .h.i.t several times by machine-gun fire. Carried to the first-aid station, he showed the greatest self-control and cheered for his King and his country when he learned that his efforts had enabled his company to take an important trench from the enemy.”
The King took from the hand of his adjutant a silver medal hung from a light-blue ribbon and pinned it on Bersaglierino's breast, who was so pale with emotion that he looked as if he would faint, then clasped the soldier's right hand in both of his and said:
”Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! You have done your duty as an Italian soldier.
Treasure this medal which your country gives you by the hand of your King. Wear it always proudly on your breast. Every one should know that you deserve it and that they should follow your example.... You are crying? But it is with happiness, is it not?”
”Yes, your Majesty.”
”And now that you have recovered, what will you do?”
”I shall go back to my profession. I am a journalist.”
”And ... will you be able?”
”I hope so. I was very severely wounded, but ...”
”You cured him, Major Cutemup?”
”I myself, your Majesty; he was one of the worst cases. The left arm carried away by a sh.e.l.l splinter, wounded on the temple, and threatened with damage to his eye, wounded in his third upper rib and another wound in the groin with lesion in the intestines. An abdominal operation was performed, his arm was amputated and there was a suture in the occipital region.... The poor fellow has certainly had his share.”
”You can see that by looking at his glorious uniform; it is indeed a doc.u.ment.”
The uniform in question trembled and the plumed hat shook.
”Yes ... truly ... but ...”
”Would you deny it?”
”No, your Majesty, I wanted to say that that uniform shouldn't be there just now. It is a glorious object, but in a hospital ward it may have infectious germs.... I had given orders to ... but ... and if your Majesty will permit, I will give orders to remove it at once.”
He had scarcely finished speaking when the coat, trousers, and hat suddenly fell to the ground with such a curious noise that Cutemup could not help running up to see what had happened. Imagine how he looked when he found himself face to face with Pinocchio, cold with terror. He tried to hide him with the glorious garments in order to carry him off, bundled up in them, but the King turned and asked:
”What's happened?”
”Your Majesty, I don't know how to explain it.... Under these clothes was hidden a wretch who ...”
”Ah! I saw. I know him. Pinocchio is one of my old and dear acquaintances. I am glad to see him among my soldiers, in semi-military garb. Leave to Bersaglierino this uniform that is dear to him. It will be a glorious souvenir for his family. Good-by, brave soldier; remember your King. I called to you in the hour of need; if to-morrow you have need of me, remember that I shall never forget those who have served me on the battle-field.”
And the good King, the loving father, the model soldier, turned to leave, followed by his suite.
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