A WAC she had seen but never spoken to, was seated in her favorite chair, and in the corner opposite was an extra bed.
“You’re Gale Janes?” The girl sprang up. “May I salute you?”
“You may do as you like about that,” Gale replied quietly. “As you know, I’m not an officer. My rank is the same as yours, so—”
In spite of this the girl’s hand rose in a snappy salute. “For gallantry in action,” she said soberly.
“Great Scott!” Gale exclaimed. “Has it gotten around like that? Mary Noble Hatch will send me back to America on the first boat.”
“No,” said the girl. “It’s not nearly as bad as that. Here. This must be your chair. I’m the latest comer, so—”
“Keep it.” Gale waved her back. “I really like this one with the mahogany seat. It’s so hard and sort of substantial, like—” the words came unbidden—“like our colonel.”
The girl’s big round eyes opened wide. “Just like our colonel,” she agreed. Then she settled back in her chair. She was a rather plump girl with a round face, eyes wide apart, and a high forehead. Gale was sure she was going to like her. She already had a roommate, but in this war people lived as they must.
“They crowded me in on you,” the girl apologized. “Wanted my room for one of the higherups. I—” Gale was due for a shock—“I’m only the colonel’s yeoman (secretary to you).”
“Are you the colonel’s secretary?” Gale leaned forward in her chair to extend a hand. “Here! Shake! You’re just the person I want to know most. You shall have my easy chair for keeps, my bed too, if you want it, and the five pound box of chocolates I just received from home.”