When Ida Hall commented on this, Mabel observed, “Her foot locker and suitcase, too. Something’s gone wrong, girls—wonder what?”
Nancy could only remain silent, feeling miserable and deceitful, even while she wondered what had actually become of Tini. When nothing more was seen of their blond roommate by lunchtime, Mabel confronted Miss Hauser with a question about her in the dining room.
Miss Hauser’s manner was as casual as could be when she replied. “Miss Hoffman didn’t pass all the tests,” she said. “Some do fail to get over at the last minute, you know.”
Silently the trio went back to their room. Each sat on the side of her bed, staring into space. After an interval Mabel said, “She didn’t fail on her physicals, I can bet you that. Tini’s strong as a mule.”
“And just as stubborn about having her own way,” Ida asserted.
Nancy offered no opinion, for fear she would betray more than she should. The afternoon dragged by. Nancy brought Shorty in to be a fourth at a table of bridge, and they played until time to go down for dinner.
“I didn’t think units were held over, after alert, more than twenty-four hours,” complained Mabel. “Sure wish we’d get on the move.”
“Maybe the convoy is delayed somehow,” suggested Ida.
Nancy wondered if Tini had anything to do with the delay. She tried to forget the unpleasant incident. When they were in the dining room that evening she suggested, “You girls had better lay in a good meal. This may be the last you’ll get before you’re too seasick to eat.”
They took her advice and put in full orders. A few in the crowded dining room had started eating and Nancy had taken only one bite from the breast of a chicken when Major Reed came in. His face told all who turned toward him that the moment had come.