“When we read about such things in the papers they seem so unreal and far away,” said Kitty, suddenly feeling a great sense of responsibility in her new undertaking. She realized now that a Canteen worker must have the courage and endurance of a true soldier if she was to fulfill her obligations. There was much more she wanted to ask Mrs. Evans and the girls, but at that moment the band began playing and Jimmy Barnes, a young storekeeper, came to ask her to dance with him. The second dance had just begun when someone tapped her partner on the shoulder. Kitty looked over the sailor’s shoulder to see the spotless white of a Naval officer’s uniform. She was surprised to recognize Lieutenant Cary. She could not suppress a startled exclamation, “Oh, you?” “Sorry to break in, but I had to apologize for leaving yesterday at the dock without telling you how much I appreciated the ride from town, but I was late for an appointment.” “Oh, that was O.K. Dad had told me to phone so we’d have a way of getting Miss Dawson’s bags up from the dock.” “So she’s an old friend?” Though the young doctor’s words seemed harmless enough Kitty was instantly on the defensive. Guardedly she replied, “I never saw her till yesterday.” “Though you met her at the train?” Kitty noticed how blond the Lieutenant’s eyebrows were when he lifted them with a skeptical expression. She made no reply to his last remark, not knowing how best to speak. He seemed to take the hint that the subject was closed, and after an interval said, “You dance beautifully.” “Thanks.” “You look charming tonight,” he persisted. She flushed in spite of not wanting him to pay her compliments. She was about to make a pert retort when she reminded herself that he, too, was in the service, even though she disliked him personally. After all she had come here to try to make these men who were serving her country a bit happier. Suddenly she caught sight of Brad watching her with a puzzled expression. To her relief the band crashed out the finale at that moment, and Brad came to claim her for the next dance. “So glad you came,” Kitty said cordially. “No gladder than I am.” He grinned as he looked her over with a sauciness at which no one could take offense. Then he whistled softly. “Gosh, but you look like a dream walking!” “But I came here to dance, not walk.” “You didn’t come here to dance with Lieutenant Cary from now on if I have anything to do with it.” “Why he dances divinely.” Kitty found herself defending the man she didn’t like just to take Brad down a peg or two. “Maybe he learned his dance steps where the great Strauss waltzes were born.” Brad glanced around before he added “Vienna.” “You mean?” “We can’t talk here,” he warned quietly. “I wanted to talk to you about something, too.” “Did you?” he asked eagerly.