should get a medal for this day’s work.”

“No,”—her voice dropped—“I’ll not get a medal. Know what I’ll get?”

“No. What?” He stared at her.

“I’ll get a reprimand for not ducking the moment the raid was announced. After that probably I’ll get sent back to Texas to run a radio in an army camp.”

“Nothing like that!” he protested.

“Yes. Something like that.” Her voice rose. “This is a man’s war. That’s what they say. Oh yeah? What about those Russian girls fighting in the trenches? What about the women and children killed by air raids in England?

“Work far back of the lines.” Her voice dropped. “That’s all right. It’s fine, and it really helps. Perhaps life can be fun without excitement for some people, but not for me.” She sank back to her place on the cold bare floor.

“Well, sister, don’t give up hope.” The sergeant’s voice was husky. “You’re a real sport. The Colonel in charge of this man’s army over here ain’t just like everybody else. He’s different. You’ll see! He’ll fix things up. We’ll march together yet.”

“Here’s hoping.” She gripped his hand. “And now, can we go out?”

“Sure thing,” the sergeant agreed. “Let’s get out and collect a few souvenirs.”

As the girl turned to creep out at the far end of the half-dark shelter, she caught the gleam of a pair of eyes. “Oh!” she exclaimed softly. She had made out the shadowy form of the black dwarf crouching there.

“What’s up?” the sergeant demanded.

“N—nothing, I guess.” She hesitated. “Nothing.” Her mind flashed over their conversation there in the shelter. “We betrayed no secrets,” she told herself. Then to the sergeant she said:

“Come on. Let’s go.”

CHAPTER II We’re Going Back. And soon

CHAPTER II

We’re Going Back. And soon

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