“In the Navy.”
“Oh.”
“He enlisted,” Bertha said. “I had things fixed so he was deferred — took a war contract just to have something that would beat the draft. Worked things slick as a whistle; got him classified as an indispensable worker in an essential industry — and then, the damn little runt goes and enlists in the Navy.”
“I miss him,” Kosling said simply.
Bertha frowned at him. “You miss him? I didn’t know that you knew him.”
He smiled slightly. “I think I know every one of the regulars.”
“What do you mean?”
“My station is down half a block in front of the bank building on the corner.”
“That’s right. Come to think of it, I’ve seen you there.”
“I know almost everyone that passes.”