 Why does the protagonist want to get back to his wife?
They were nearing a river; the water would be welcome on tired bodies and dry throats. Images began to appear, drawn from inexhaustible files, wherein are kept all thoughts, past, present, and future.... World War III had been declared, and he had enlisted, receiving his old rank of captain. Three days later they had landed in Spain, merged with another division, then crossed the Pyrenees into France, and finally to Paris where the fighting had begun. Their families had long since died, their bodies turned to dust, their spirits fled on the winds to a new world. With what few men he had left, he had commandeered a small yacht, and they had taken to the sea.
 He promised that his love is “forever” and that he would return from the war.
 He promised that he would return home after the Americans won the war.  He promised that his love is “forever” and that he would return from the war.  He promised that his love is “forever” and that he would take her to Europe once the war ended.  He promised that he would return the locket she lent him for the war.