“And then—then they’re men and I’m a woman. They’re disappointed and I don’t see them again.”

Hamilton’s eyes blazed and he clenched his fists. Meadows noticed it.

“Oh, they’re not all like that,” she said. “Only most of them. I have a few real friends, at least I think I have.”

“And am I—?”

“Oh, of course, you’re all right, Colonel. I could see that from the beginning. I said there were some friends.”

“Well, in a week, I’ll be leaving—”

“Oh, we’ll meet again,” Meadows anticipated. “Probably oftener than you think.”

Meadows always avoided sentimental entanglements.

“But I must see you again before I go.”

“Must?”