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In a very hot room in the field hospital, Henry rests and recovers. The atmosphere is peaceful, subdued.
Rinaldi visits. As usual the Italian is outgoing, the American subdued. A lot of discussion involves a possible decoration for Henry--Rinaldi hopes to magnify Henry\'s deeds to earn him a higher medal, but Henry downplays them.
Catherine\'s name comes up, casually, but Henry seems more interested in hearing about the girls in the Villa Rossa. Rinaldi says the brothel should change them, they\'re like old friends, not girls. Is he revealing that he studiously avoids any permanent human attachment? Perhaps. Yet he seems to have missed Henry as a \"blood brother and roommate.\" He goes on teasing Henry, now slyly hinting that Henry and the priest are in love, \"that way.\" Henry laughs it off.
Getting ready to leave, Rinaldi starts in on Catherine, scornfully calling her an \"English goddess.\" This time Henry doesn\'t laugh off the teasing. It gets to him. Again (as in Chapter 5) they come close to a real argument over Rinaldi\'s cool attitude toward women in general--Catherine included--and Henry\'s still confused state of mind about Catherine in particular. He may not love her, but he certainly gets touchy when Rinaldi criticizes her.
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