OCR Text |
Show 170 her view encompassed only the prophylactic station and the gun-mount mountain. "Engineers School," said Phyllis. "How big is _it?" "Almost the same size as we. Twenty-five officers or so. And, of course, dependents." "Good," said Harriet. "Fifty families make a sizable community. Easy for a small group to become ingrown." She glanced around. "Are they here?" Harriet gazed at Louise first, who had chosen that moment to take a sip of her drink, and then at Phyllis. In Harriet's face, Phyllis had noticed, there lay a touch of the classical. The features were clear-cut and incised, the eyes direct and luminous. At the same time there was something . . , awesome: like the Parthenon, such beauty was slightly humbling. So much so, in fact, that she heard herself stating some thoughts she had intended to hide. "The two organizations," she said, "haven't always gotten along well. Just a couple of months ago, in fact, one of their officers - " Louise leaned forward. "I'm sure Mrs Lambert wouldn't be interested." Phyllis pulled herself up, reproved, while Harriet gazed expectantly. Then, turning her eyes to Louise, Harriet nodded. "Right. Every post has its gossip; ignoring it is best." At the moment there came a burst of laughter from the officers at the bar, and she looked across. "I'd think anybody could get |