After breakfast on the following Friday Allen approached Isobel solemnly.
"May I speak to you for one moment, please, Commandant?" he asked, in portentously official tones.
"Certainly, Mr. Allen," she replied in the same manner. "Come into the office."
She led the way into the not very tidy sanctum from which she conducted the voluminous correspondence with various military bodies which formed a large share in her work in the Dunwater Park Auxiliary Hospital for Officers. She sat down at her desk and stirred some papers with an air of importance.
"You find me very busy," she intimated austerely. "But I can give you a moment. What can I do for you?"
Allen, as befitted one in the presence of authority, came to attention.
"Please," said he humbly, "I want leave to go up to town by the noon train."
"But Sister's the person who runs the leave department."
"Yes, but she's gone up herself by the early train."