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Show IS dropped them about efficiently. Soon everybody was placed, and the first intramural picnic underway. Conversation did not flow easily, however, thanks to a basic difference in the two groups. The Engineers belonged to the American core -- large, hearty, opposed to racism on the surface but somewhat guiltily addicted to it at the heart - and the Detachments' conglomeration of nisei, linguists and intellectuals aroused a slight distrust. The talk kept starting up and aborting, and from time to time politeness was shattered by a burst of stertorous laughter. At the head blanket things were proper. Sid and Louise had sat down (the Parkers disappeared), and while the Colonel bandied platitudes with Sid Mrs Satterwhite turned her attention to Louise. "Lovely morning," she said. "So pleasant to get away. Our area, you know" - she dropped her voice -- "isn't the most pleasant. Not so nice as yours: such charming houses, such a pleasant site." She paused, to give Louise chance for reply, but as Louise sat silent, continued. "I say, how'ri you come?" "The Nissan-maru." "The -- ?" ii - ferry that takes the men to Taira." "Oh?" Mrs Satterwhite's face took on a puzzled expression. "Isn't that what might be called restricted transportation?" "The Major gave permission." A frosting of derision gathered at the edge of Mrs |