“Morning!” Panama shouted jubilantly, “It’s a great day, Elinor!”
The little nurse turned, put down the bandage she had been rolling and with a welcome smile, crossed to greet the sergeant.
“Hello, Panama,” she said warmly. “What brings you here so early?”
Her words completely took him off guard for a moment and he struggled to regain his bearings, thinking fast for a probable excuse.
“Why—er—well—er—that is, I wanted you to—er—remove my—my bandage!” he stuttered.
“But the dispensary doesn’t open until nine o’clock,” she said indifferently, though secretly amused by the man’s lame excuse. “What’s your hurry?”
A look of pain crossed the man’s face as he struggled for words that would convince the girl.
“Why—er—I got a busy day ahead of me,” he lied gracefully. “And unless you remove the bandage, I can’t use my hand so I——”
“Never mind explaining the rest,” Elinor interrupted. “I guess I understand.”
She led the way to a small white table near the window as Panama trailed after her.