“Oh! It’s nothing at all, after what you’ve been telling, but I’ll tell you all the same—”
Mary told the story of her journey while Scottie listened with rapt attention.
“Young lady!” he exclaimed when she had finished, “you’ve got what it takes!”
“I’m only one of the thousands of American women who have joined up to help win the war,” said Mary. “And they’ve all got what it takes.”
“Glory be for that!” Scottie exclaimed. “Now I know the fight will soon be over. When the ladies get into Hitler’s hair there’s nothing left but the shouting.
“And here’s a secret.” He leaned forward and his eyes shone. “There is talk of sending me to Burma with that quinine early to-morrow morning.”
“Oh!” Judy exclaimed. “That wouldn’t be fair. Mary and Sparky should do it. They’ve earned the right.”
“Exactly what I said,” Scottie agreed. “But Sparky won’t risk his ship and he won’t leave the rest of his cargo alone for an hour and as for this young lady—” He hesitated, embarrassed.
“Of course it wouldn’t be safe,” Mary stepped in. “I don’t know the route. The quinine is too precious. I wouldn’t think of risking it.”
“Of course not,” Judy smiled. “But if Scottie were sent with it and if he were to ask that you be sent along as his co-pilot?”