She sang a simple little lullaby first, and gaining courage from their praise, she sang the aria she had learned for her closing recital at school. “Oh, Kitty darling, your voice is really beautiful, so full and rich. You _must_ go on with your music! All the world ought to be hearing that beautiful voice.” Hazel’s words once more stirred Kitty’s old ambition, that had been overshadowed of late by circumstances. “When the war is over, maybe,” she tried to speak with an indifference she did not feel. “But right now I have other jobs to do.” “Haven’t we all!” said Hazel significantly, and turned to meet her friend’s understanding glance. Later when her father had gone to take Hazel home, Kitty sat at the window a long time. She felt an unaccountable loneliness, even while her heart rejoiced at what the evening had revealed. What a wonderful wife Hazel would make for her dad! His loneliness had long been a source of unhappiness to her. Finally she went to her room, humming softly the lullaby, hoping that those suspicions at least had good foundation. Maybe some day after the war she would have a home of her own. What a comfort it would be to know Dad was not left alone! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CHAPTER SEVEN THE TANGLED WEB A wild March gale was howling over the island the following evening. Though rain poured in torrents Kitty found a score of marines and sailors already in the USO hall when she arrived at the Snack Bar. On such nights she always thought of the boys across the water, who were fighting in all sorts of weather. The Snack Bar and the cozy atmosphere of the big hall made her wish they could all share this comfort. Nell Cruger, the USO hostess, was worried when she remarked to Kitty, “Vera just phoned from out at Thompsons’ place that she’s stuck in the mud but will get here as soon as she can. We haven’t half enough girls to keep the boys entertained till then.” “Oh, depend on Vera to get out of any sort of tight spot,” replied Kitty confidently. “She’ll be along after a while with a station wagon full of girls.” Kitty had her own Canteen duties to look after and was quite busy for half an hour before she realized that Vera had not yet arrived. Only one carful of girls had come in, and although they were doing their best to make the boys have a pleasant evening, there was still not nearly enough girls. Kitty decided the Canteen girls would have to do double duty by helping the USO hostess. She was about to tell Mrs. Evans she would go outside into the hall to be some boy’s partner for a dance when she noticed a lonesome-looking fellow at her own Snack Bar. She had served him a cup of coffee when he first came in and had made overtures of friendship which had been indifferently received. He still sat on the end stool, looking dejectedly into space, half his coffee still in the cup.