“If—if I could only hold a baby once to see how it feels. I’ve never held a baby. Maybe I can believe I’m a father when I know how a baby feels.” Hot tears blinded Kitty’s eyes, and her throat tightened. How tragic it was to be three thousand miles away from your firstborn, with no real hope of ever seeing him before you were sent across! “Sally, I’m going to find a baby for him to hold if there’s a young baby on this island!” Kitty whispered. Sally wiggled her button nose as she, too, blinked back the tears. “Say, but that’s tough! Where’ll you find a young one, Kit? I don’t know where there’s a young baby.” “I’ll find one. You’ll see,” said Kitty and dashed out to the telephone. In two minutes she had Hazel Dawson on the phone. Surely she would know if any of the wives of the service men up at the hospital had young babies. Hazel was rather surprised at Kitty’s unusual request, but after a little thought said, “Mrs. Harper’s baby is about ten days old. She came back from the hospital in town yesterday, I believe.” “Do you think you could possibly arrange for me to bring Ned Miller up to see it?” asked Kitty. “I’m sure they’d be glad to have him visit them,” Hazel said kindly. “Suppose you come past the hospital tomorrow at four-thirty when I get off duty and I’ll go with you.” “Oh, you’re an angel! If you could only see this pathetic boy, you’d do anything in the world to make him a little happier.” Kitty tried not to seem too excited over her success when she went back behind the bar. Mrs. Evans was still talking to Ned when she joined them. “The Harpers have a young baby,” she said almost bluntly. He glanced at her quickly, and his sensitive face flushed. “Maybe you think it’s silly of me,” he apologized. “But it’s an awful feeling to be three thousand miles away from your wife and baby.” “You’re not silly at all! I’d be thrilled to pieces to go to see the Harpers’ baby with you. They’re friends of Hazel Dawson. You know Ensign Dawson up at the hospital?” “Sure. She’s always ready to help somebody.” “The Harpers’ baby is a few days older than yours, but then they’d feel the same.” “You’re so kind to go to all that trouble for me.” “I’ll pick you up in our car tomorrow at four-thirty. I’m going over to get Miss Dawson anyhow. She said she’d go with us and make arrangements with the Harpers.” “I just can’t thank you enough.” A smile actually brightened Ned’s face as he spoke. While Kitty was still talking to him Vera came in with half a dozen girls. After she turned them loose in the hall she went behind the Snack Bar looking rather excited. Kitty suggested that one of the new arrivals dance with Ned, and when they had gone she said to Vera, “Hear you had quite a time.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: _“You’re Not Silly at All,” Kitty Told Him_] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ “I’ll say.”