“Well, well, Nick, old man. We’re glad to have you up here as an instructor,” the major was saying.
“Glad to be here,” Nick answered. “I guess some of your men can learn a few new tricks.”
“And you’re the man who can teach them,” the major said as he slapped Nick across the shoulders.
Stan stood in the doorway watching. Apparently Nick Munson was favorably known to some of the army men from the States. Allison stepped forward. O’Malley was hungry and, when he was hungry, other details could wait.
“Where’s the mess?” he demanded.
The major looked at him and smiled. O’Malley’s uniform and shoulder markings placed him as a flier, but the officer seemed in doubt.
“Across the street,” he said gruffly.
“Flight Three out of Singapore reporting in, sir,” Allison said.
“Well, well.” The major suddenly showed some interest. The fame of these three aces had arrived ahead of them. “Glad to have you.” He looked again at O’Malley. “So you’re the famous O’Malley.” He held out his hand.
“I’m not so famous as I am hungry,” O’Malley said as he shook hands.