The colonel carried no tommy gun now, and his dress was no longer unconventional. She found it difficult to believe that this immaculately dressed officer, whose buttons and insignia shone, and whose pink cheeks were the last touch in perfection, should ever have led a group of ragged barefooted men and girls down a river and over a mountain.
“Have good practice today?” he asked. A strange smile played about his lips.
“Yes. Ver—very good.” She swallowed hard. “Very fine practice, and—and” the words came unbidden “Grand hunting.”
He did not start or stare—merely smiled wisely—a smile that said plainer than words,—“Umm! You and I have a secret, a very fine secret.”
The colonel leaned forward in his chair. “I had been tipped off that there would be an air raid.” His voice was low. He glanced over his shoulder. “I have had a great deal of experience with men soldiers and nurses, but none at all with lady soldiers. I had my own ideas regarding their reactions once they were under fire. Others,” he paused, “Er—well—they had different ideas.
“I hope you’ll forgive me if—”
“Oh! You’re forgiven!” the girl exclaimed softly. “I—I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
“For what?” he asked simply.
“For believing that I wasn’t soft—that I could take it.”
“That’s all right,” he beamed. “That’s exactly what I did believe, and now I know.