 Why does Hank wait for Edith to leave before he changes clothes?
The head of the American Legion and the chief of police, who had escorted him on this trip from the square, didn't ask to go in with him. So he put him down and told himself that it would all change, that everything would loosen up just as his commanding officer, General Carlisle, had said it would early this morning before he left Washington. Which was not what he'd considered at all important on leaving Walter Reed Hospital early this morning; which was something he found distasteful, something he felt beneath them both. Together with Edith, Ralphie and himself, they made six, and ate in the dining room at the big table.
 He doesn't want Edith to see the scars on his body. It will just remind her he died.
 Edith bought separate beds while he was gone. Undressing in front of her may make her uncomfortable.  The new bedroom arrangement put them in separate beds. He doesn't want Edith to feel uncomfortable by his undressing.  He doesn't want Edith to see the scars on his body. It will just remind her he died.  He doesn't want Edith to see the scars on his body. Scars may put a damper on the romance.