Though Kitty had intended cultivating Hazel Dawson’s acquaintance she had actually been with her only once since her arrival. Then she and her father and Hazel had eaten lunch together in the hospital dining-room, where there was little chance for connected conversation. So Kitty was also glad of this opportunity to develop their friendship. Hazel couldn’t praise Kitty’s delicious dinner enough, and remarked several times how wonderful it was to be in a real home. “It’s nothing like the lovely bungalow we had in New Orleans,” said Kitty. “Of course we had our own things there. But I’m not complaining. It’s too wonderful that we can be together in any sort of home now.” After a while Kitty slipped into the background and listened while her father and Hazel discussed other places they had worked, and mutual friends who were now scattered far and wide. The meal was not half over before Kitty was certain her father had more than a passing interest in this nurse. His preoccupation of the morning had vanished with the genial companionship. “I’m hoping I’ll get a chance at overseas duty again,” said Hazel. “You wouldn’t want to go till you finish the job you came here to do.” “Oh, no! No, indeed! I wouldn’t be satisfied to go anywhere till that’s done.” Kitty glanced speculatively from one to the other. Their words implied much. When Hazel looked across the table to find a puzzled expression on Kitty’s face, she instantly changed the subject. “Don’t forget, my dear, that you promised to take me on a tour of these inland waterways.” “I haven’t forgotten, but there was so much to be done while I was taking my Canteen course.” “I’m so interested in this coast country. It’s really beautiful.” “In a week or so the weather will be getting very mild, then we’ll make a day of it when you have some time off,” Kitty promised. After dinner Kitty excused herself to see about Billy, who had eaten earlier and been put to bed. As she went down the hall she heard Hazel say to her father, “I’ve been wanting to tell you something I have just uncovered.” Then for the first time Kitty felt certain that Hazel Dawson had come to the Bernard Hospital in the double capacity of nurse and investigator in behalf of her brother. In order to give them plenty of time for consultation she stayed in Billy’s room an hour, reading him bedtime stories. His sleepy eyes had been closed some time when her father poked his head in the doorway and asked, “Kitten, aren’t you coming back to the living-room?” She tried to smile disarmingly as she said softly, “Billy felt sort of out of it all. I had to make it up to him.” “I want you to sing for Hazel,” he added as they went down the hall. “Oh, please do!” exclaimed Hazel, who overheard them. “I’ve always wanted to hear you sing.” “This old piano is terribly out of tune, and I’m out of practice, but I’ll try.”