“Are you really going to take the Canteen course?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for worlds! And say, I owe you a vote of thanks. If you hadn’t dropped those remarks about the Canteen work I might never have thought of joining.”
“And what a prize they would have missed!”
Kitty flushed as she took Billy’s hand and told him it was time to go home. It was strange how Brad Mason seemed like someone she had always known.
“Wait a minute, now!” exclaimed Brad, pretending to be angry. “You can’t walk out of my life like this. After all we’ve been introduced properly with Miss Pearson as witness.”
Kitty glanced up into his face as she buttoned Billy’s coat. Then they laughed gayly.
“At least you might tell me where you live,” Brad persisted.
“On Palmetto Island near the hospital. My dad works there. He’s a Chief Pharmacist’s Mate.”
“Maybe you know him, since you’re in the Navy.”
“Why, were as good as in the same family. I work in the registrar’s office at the hospital.”
Kitty thought he was joking and said so. “I don’t remember ever seeing you there.”
“Been on leave for two weeks, and I had a little sick spell before that.”
“I came home from college about a month ago. Dad’s been down here two months.”
“You bet! He’s the bravest man in the whole Navy.”
Kitty made a move to leave the park, but Brad followed.
“I didn’t parade. I got into town only today. Couldn’t I ride the bus back to the island with you?”
“I came in our launch. I have to wait and meet someone who is coming in on the four-thirty train. But say, if you’re not in a hurry we’d be glad to have you ride back across the bay with us. There’s plenty of room.”
The town busses were so packed with people going home from the parade they decided to walk to the railroad station as it was only a few blocks down the street. When Billy got too tired Brad took him astride his shoulders and didn’t seem to care a bit if anyone stared at him.
“Going to meet some girl friend?” he asked when they were in sight of the station.
“No, a new nurse is coming to the hospital. I think she has worked in some hospital with Dad before. He knew all the island busses would be jammed after the parade, so suggested I come over in the launch and bring her back.”
As Kitty had never seen Hazel Dawson she was a little uneasy for fear she would slip through the train gates unrecognized. There were several smartly uniformed women among the travelers, WACs, and WAVES and Women Marines. Most of them hurried by as if familiar with the station and town. Then she saw a brisk-looking Navy nurse, following a redcap loaded with bags. Kitty was still hesitating when the nurse paused suddenly and looked her straight in the face.