One afternoon he turned up unexpectedly at the hospital.

It was a few weeks after the Conscription Act had been passed.
Joan took him into her room at the end of the ward, from where, through the open door, she could still keep watch.

They spoke in low tones.
"It's done you good," said Joan.

"You look every inch the jolly Jack Tar." He was hard and tanned, and his eyes were marvellously bright.
"Yes," he said, "I love the sea.

It's clean and strong." A fear was creeping over her.