There was work aplenty. First flying as a crew, co-ordinating their every movement, and then as a member of a large formation they prepared themselves for the final ordeal.
One morning Gale arrived on the field to find the land crews loading bombs.
“Is this it?” she said to Jimmie.
“This is it,” was his reply. That was all. In half an hour they were off on the great adventure.
* * * * * * * *
If life had been strange and fascinating for Gale, it had been scarcely less so for her friends, Isabelle, Jan and Than Shwe. The same morning Gale left the colonel called them into his office.
“You’ve been working hard,” he said. “Gale has just left on a—well, you might say a change of scene. I want you to take a leave. What’s more, I want you to see what we’re fighting for here in China.”
“That’s what I’d like,” said Isabelle.
“You shall have the opportunity,” said the colonel. “The home of your friend, the little Chinese nurse, Mai-da, is only a short way from here. She has just arrived at the front and would like to take you there for a few days. How about it?”
“Swell!” “I’d love it!” “Golly! That will be keen!” were the responses he received.