“We are under orders to report to Alexandria,” Allison reminded him.
“The general doesn’t know what our orders are. We can worry about little things like that after we get back,” Stan said impatiently.
They walked across the slope to where the general was standing. There were four officers with him, three colonels and a major.
“Could we have a word with you, sir?” Stan asked as he snapped a salute.
“Certainly,” General Miller said.
“We have decided to return to Bizerte and wondered if you could say a word for us if a westbound plane stops here. This delay will upset our plans and we might as well go back.”
The general looked at Stan sharply. “What made you change your plans, besides this accident?”
Stan grinned. He did not dare admit that he had overheard the general talking.
“The farther we get from the base of action, the more jittery we get,” he replied.
“You fellows have to be ordered to take leave,” General Miller said and smiled. “Do your orders allow you such freedom of action?”