“Is it?” She laughed. “In this war anything is possible. Listen!” Her face tensed with memories. “I was on Corregidor when we surrendered to those terrible Japs.”
“Corregidor?” Jack gasped. “Corregidor in the Philippines? Say!” His voice dropped. “That’s where the Black Bee, our carrier, is headed for next.”
“Corregidor!” It was her turn to stare.
“Well, not Corregidor just yet, but the Philippines—Mindanao, to be exact.”
“Oh! Take me with you!” she exclaimed softly.
“We’re not on board ship yet,” he smiled. “We’re just hoping. But say!” he exclaimed. “How’d you ever get way over here? Tell me about it, will you?”
“Yes, sure I will.” She leaned forward. “I was a nurse, and just before the surrender I was told by a native that one of my best friends lay in a boathouse somewhere along the shore. He was a flier and had been badly wounded.
“I slipped away to find him.” She drew in a deep breath. “I found him and did what I could. He lived six hours.” She paused to gaze away at the sea.
“And in the meantime the fortress was surrendered?” Jack suggested.
“Yes.” She went on. “That same native came all the way to tell me. They were wonderful, those Filipinos!” She paused again, to stare away at the white star that every moment grew closer.