"Alice! A-a-lice! Wherefore art thou, A-a-l-ice?"
The window was opened.
"Wot, you 'ere again? I thought you was in the cells."
The voice was reproving but held a hint of coquetry.
"Were, Alice—were! Not 'was'."
"Well, why 'aven't you come to see me before?"
"My dear Alice, duty called. Besides, I've got to avoid the Big Chief, y'know."
"Yes, I should think so!" Alice was indignant. "Goin' off on the tear like that!"
"A-a-h, Alice! I came here for sympathy, not a lecture. The C.O. gives me all the lecturing I want!"
This, Hector reflected, was not strictly true.