Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-12-05

"Oh. no, you can't have your num-"
muttered Mrs. Sham to herself,
mimicking Nurse Andrews soothing
syrup voice. You can't have nothing
you want. Ducks-not in this place
you can't" Mrs. Sham never took any
notice of bombs, no matter how near
they fell, and this one had been near
enough. 1t was her way Of showing
contempt for the Hun.
"Give us Just sip from your water
Jug. there's a dear" whispered Mrs.
Ambrose. hoarsely conspiratorial. Its
that that's driving me mad-not the
bloody bombs"
But Mrs. Sham couldn't even II she
had dared help her neighbor break
doctors orders, because Nurse Andrews
would have seen her. Mrs. Ambrose
gave her curse but not very much
of a one, for she too was conscious of
the eye of authority.
To get out of it gracefully, Mrs.
Sham began to slip into her dressing
gown again, making sure of the flags
and box of matches in the pocket, and
Mrs. Ambrose suddenly turned into a
blackmailer.
"I1l tell her why you go there so
often if you don't give me a sip from
your jug-so help me, God, I will.
All, there's a dear, it's only drop
I'll take. promise you. She's busy
with 1vy-she won't notice"
''They notice everything" retorted
Mrs. Sham. land if you dare split on
me, I'll tell your old man about that
other chap that comes to see you after
visiting hours"
Hes my brother" Mrs. Ambrose
shrilled Indignantly.
Brother, my foot Pull the gaff on
me. If you dare. warn you
Miss Vesey pursued her happy line
of thought: This Is perfectly wonder
ful-and that should live to see 1t!
At one time I was afraid wouldn't,
but when the doctor told me it wasn't
tuberculosis I knew I'd get well quite
soon.
She thought Of the apple trees at
the cottage down at Teston that would
be coming into bloom in month or
so. Probably she'd be home In time
to see them. The ship was fairly
whipping along now. How surprised
Vida would be to see it sailing up
the Midway. Would they have the
school children out with flags and a
band?
Here was the stewardesS again,
whose name was Nurse Hanky, flash
ing torch this time Miss Vesey didn't
like the torch in her face, but she
gave no sign.
Nurse Hanky bent over her and laid
a hand on her wrist.
Are you all right, dear? It's little
IS over now"
Yes, Miss Vesey couldn't help no.
ticing it was little rough. Lots of
the passengers must be feeling queer;
that was probably why the steward
esses were rushing around so much,
but as for herself, she felt buoyant
and very happy. She wanted to ask
Nurse Hanky how soon. it would be
before they arrived, and at what
country No doubt the first stop would
be Germany to let Mrs. Bergman off.
1t was four years since she had seen
her native land, poor soul.
But before Miss Vesey could ask her
question, Nurse Hanky had dashed to
the opposite cubicle and was flashing
her torch at Miss Yugoslav1a, who
apparently had been in her berth all
the time. Perhaps the Polish violinist
had gone out on the deck, so as not
to disturb her.
Are you all right, dear?"
Mrs. Parkes, who was lying on her
back rigid with bandages, smiled wanly.
Eyes, thank you, I'm quite all right.
Was the hospital hit?"
I'm not quite sure-we haven't
heard, yet, but probably not. think
the worst is over now"
Il hope So" said Mrs. Parkes.
She looked like green-haired angel,
with her young-peaked face and big
blue eyes. So pretty, she was. fit to
break your heart, thought Nurse
Hanky, who was built on land-girl
lines and had face like a full moon.
lis there anything can get you.
deara Some hot milk q anythingf"