“That man? Why Beth Gilcrist pointed him out to me and told me he meets all the troop trains.” “As soon as that fellow yelled out about Terrapin Island I started over to talk to him, and I saw Beeson headed that way, too. Then after you took the floor he didn’t open his trap. Just stood there glaring at you as if he could kill you with a look.” “Oh, how awful!” But Kitty couldn’t tell Vera just how awful it was. It was the middle of the afternoon when she reached home to find Jane starting out to take Billy for a walk. “Yo’ Pah phoned and said he would eat up to de horsepital tonight—got some extra work to do,” explained Jane. “Then we’ll have a light supper early. I have to be at the Canteen at seven o’clock.” Billy kept tugging at Jane’s hand, saying crossly, “Come on. I wanner go to walk.” “Billy, stop nagging Jane till we get through talking,” chided Kitty. “He been like dat all day, Miss Kit, pesterin’ me ’bout first one t’ing an’ den annuder.” “Maybe he needs a little outing. You two run along and I’ll see about supper.” For the first time Kitty was a little late reaching the Canteen, but this had been a day when she found it difficult to keep up with all her obligations. It was her night for dish-washing duty. She had little to do until the dirty dishes began to pile up, so she strolled around the hall, talking to the service men. Suddenly she noticed Hazel Dawson at the chessboard, and to her amazement saw that Chief Krome sat opposite. She strolled over and put her hand caressingly on Hazel’s shoulder. “How are you progressing?” “Slow going, I fear. I never tried to learn such a complicated game.” “She’s doing fine—really she is,” stated Krome. He glanced up and recognized Kitty. “Oh, it’s you? Did the boys enjoy that shrimp creole the other night?” “Sure did, thanks to the recipe.” Someone was playing a Brahms Waltz on the piano and Kitty hummed it softly. “Sing it, Kitty dear. Those were lovely words set to the music that you sang for me the other night,” Hazel said, glancing up from her board. “Do please, Kitty,” urged Jimmy Barnes, who stood near. “You’ve been promising to sing for us a long time.” “Come ahead,” said Brad, catching her hand and leading her toward the piano. “All right, if you insist,” said Kitty graciously. No sooner had her rich mezzo-soprano voice swelled with the piano accompaniment than the entire hall fell silent. Everyone turned toward her to look and listen entranced. For a moment after the last notes faded softly there was a breathless hush, then a storm of applause. “More,” someone called out. “Give us another,” a marine demanded.