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Show Engineers School, the Detachments could see the men of Headquarters Company drilling, spot the gleam of metal on the officers' shoulders. The Engineers worked harder than they did, the Intelligence contingent realized with a glow of self-satisfaction; they trained in wet weather and dry, whereas the Detachments found much of their time free. "Lovely, isn't it?" said Louise. "The Engineers School?" askad Phyllis Parker, appalled. "The scene. The Engineers School -- " "Looks like hell," and Phyllis giggled. Momentarily Louise let her eyes rest on Phyllis' red hair and raw complexion, and then on the marching troops beyond. Each type of beauty helps shape the character beneath it, and Louise's disposed her to softness and sweetness, even though at the moment she wouldn't mind giving Phyllis her comeuppance. Phyllis had a way of intimating that she, Louise, was an accomplice in mischief, whereas really . . .wife of the exec. . . Sid's sturdy figure and movie-star good looks had always predisposed him to promotion; why should she tweak fortune's ear? "It isn't attractive," she said, making one more attempt at magnanimity, "but -- " Oh what the hell, she thought; around Phyllis you might as well give up. Both ladies settled back in silence, content to enjoy the sun, the sky, the waves and (their eyes settling in from time to time, like a fly on a peach) Sergeant Koontz. The Sergeant was often asked on such outings, not only |