She got no further when the nurse exclaimed, “Why you must be Kitty Carter, or her duplicate.”
“No other. But I didn’t expect anyone to meet me.”
Kitty explained about the parade and the crowded busses, then introduced Brad and Billy.
“This really is an honor. It seems almost like going home to have someone meet me,” said Miss Dawson happily.
They caught a taxi outside the station. After the flurry of seeing about baggage Hazel Dawson seemed tired as she settled back in the car seat. Kitty glanced fleetingly at her face to see a weary, worried expression in her eyes.
“Tired?” she asked sympathetically. Somehow she felt strangely drawn to this older woman. She judged Ensign Dawson to be somewhere in her thirties. Evidently she had already seen real action. On her coat she wore the yellow ribbon for South Pacific service, and two stars indicating she had been in two major engagements. Her eyes held the shadowed, yet kindly light of one who eased much suffering.
“Not too tired,” she replied to Kitty’s question as she forced a smile to her lips. She studied the girl’s face thoughtfully a moment before she added, “So you’re Kitty Carter.”
“You do. I had no trouble recognizing you. Wherever your dad is he always keeps your picture and Billy’s on his desk.”
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[Illustration: _“Then You Are Miss Dawson,” Kitty Said_]
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“We worked together several months in the Pacific, and were in the same hospital at Annapolis.”
“I didn’t visit Dad when he was at Annapolis. You see ever since the war began I’ve been cramming, winter and summer, to get my degree. I wanted to get through as soon as I could and join the WAVES.”
“Yes. Your father told the you had to change your plans.” Hazel sent an understanding glance toward Billy, sitting on Brad’s lap.
“But I’m going to be able to help after all,” said Kitty eagerly.
“Really? Then you’ve made arrangements for the boy?”
“Oh no. I can help and still keep our little home. I’m going into Canteen work.”
“I might never have thought of it if I hadn’t met Brad Mason today.”
Brad grinned boyishly. “I thought it was important to get acquainted with her, even if I did have to use Billy as a go-between.”