“Who’s the gorgeous-looking man?” she asked frankly when Hazel returned to the room. “That’s my brother.” “Oh, yes, of course—your brother, Willard, I’ve heard you speak about.” “But how did you know his name? I—I never mention him here.” “The day I met you in the launch Lieutenant Cary spoke of him.” “Oh-h!” Hazel’s tone became a degree cooler. “He used to be stationed here,” she added after a moment. “So Dad said. He was sent here in his place, I understand.” “I hope we don’t live to regret his asking for this post.” “You—you mean Dad asked for this appointment?” “Oh, beg pardon. I thought you knew that.” “No, I didn’t. I knew nothing about it till Dad wrote me he was coming to Palmetto Island, and it would be a grand place for me and Billy to live.” Why had both her father and Hazel asked to come here after the trouble Hazel’s brother had had? To cover her confused thoughts Kitty took the picture from the dresser and studied the face frankly. Now she could see a resemblance to Hazel. In that strong chin, firm mouth and the wide frank eyes she could find no evidence of one whose conduct might merit his being relegated to some obscure Naval station. As she and Hazel went out to meet Ned Miller in the lobby below she was more convinced than ever that there was something mysterious going on, in which her father was deeply involved. Hazel proved herself an understanding pal that afternoon. She made it seem the most natural thing in the world that Ned should want to see a tiny baby. Kitty thought she had never seen anyone so frightened and so awkward as Ned when he first took that little blanketed form in his arms. But with every passing minute his stiffness and embarrassment grew less. Before their brief call was over he had promised to carve the baby a wooden bowl and spoon for his first eating. “I like to carve things,” he said. “I made one for my own youngster two months ago.” He seemed to expand to new importance as he spoke. When Kitty and Ned left together Hazel stayed on for a longer visit with her friends. As they drove away Kitty remarked, “I didn’t notice till this afternoon that you’re one of the boys who work in the galley.” “I like it pretty well there,” admitted Ned. “I like doing things with my hands. Glad they didn’t put me where I have to work at a desk or anything like that.” “And it helps a lot when you like the people you work with,” said Kitty, not without an ulterior motive. “My boss is fine—good natured as they make ’em.” “Krome you mean? Chief Steward Krome?” “Only one trouble about him—he snores like a steam engine. You punch him and wake him up, and he goes right back at it again.” “Isn’t there a thin, dark fellow named Punaro down in the galley?” “Yeah! He collects waste from over the hospital and does things like that. Looks after the kitchen garbage too.” “I saw him over at the USO the other night playing chess with Lieutenant Cary.”