“Why? What makes you think that?” Jan asked in surprise.
“The colonel wouldn’t have sent out all those planes to attack the Jap bombers if this was to be an important point much longer. That’s sure to tip them off to the fact that there’s something big around here somewhere. They’ll be back.”
“Oh! They’ll be back!” Jan was more frightened than ever.
“Oh! Snap out of it, Jan!” Gale scolded. “We joined up to help fight a war! We’re not worth much if we’re scared all the time!”
“Sure.” Jan’s ample figure stiffened. “Sure. That’s right. You can count on me in the pinches every time.”
“You’re just right we can!” Gale agreed.
At dusk, when her relief arrived, Gale asked eagerly for news of the air battle.
“I can’t tell you a thing,” was the quick reply.
“You mean you’re not allowed to,” she suggested.
“No. That’s not it,” said the young sergeant with a slow smile. “Things are terribly secret up here these days. I’ve been here for quite a while. With every day that passes the officers get more nervy. There’s something really big in the air.”