"Preparedness?"
"In a way. When we get into the war—this war, or a war—the United States will need men with flying experience such as can be gained only in actual warfare. If I am spared," added the young man simply, "I shall be ready for service."
"Gad! That's right, Sandy. It's rather fine of you, too. But—it's so uncertain."
"Life is uncertain at best," returned the aviator, with his usual cheerfulness. "We'll look on the brighter side of it, if you please. This is no wake, Jim. The corpse is very much alive at present writing."
"That shoulder all right?"
"All right."
"They certainly did well by you at that hospital."
"I was the little white-headed boy there, for a fact," agreed the younger man.
"The big surgeon—what do they call him?"
"Herschall," growled the other, with suddenly clouded face.