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Show a Louise focussed on her face. "No single women in the Detachments, and as far as I know, none in the Engineers." And as Phyllis continued to look infuriatingly knowledgeable, sha narrowed her yees. "Are there?" "No. But after all" -- she gazed away momentarily, as if considering -- "Americans aren't the only people in Oji." "What," demanded Louise, tiring of the mystery, "are you trying to say?" "He isn't looking. . .he's found." "Foundl" The word came out louder than Louise intended, and she forced her voice back down. "I don't believa it." "As you wish. I'm surprised you haven't heard." "He couldn't keep it secret, not in Naka." "He hasn't -- though he thinks he has. At any rate, not only has he found her, they're devoted. Meet every night." Curioj^sity overcame Louise, and she bent forward. "Who is she?" Phyllis chortled. "Well might you wonder - " But the conversation was interrupted. From the mass of pipes, gauges and machinery lying like exposed viscera down the middle of the boat came a wheezing and a hiss; the boat lurched, the ladies grasped the gunwales, and in the general milling about that ensued, they found themselves joined by Evelyn Murakami, wife of the Mess and Motor Officer. "Where are the children?" asked Louise. "Ken has them. March's asleep." "And you're free," said Phyllis, "for the moment. Live it up." |