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Show 173 Mrs Satterwhite's smile grew brighter. "How nice of you to come. I see so little of the Detachments lately. . . . " And she paused, as if hesitant to reveal the extent of her surprise The two women looked at eaci other, in a moment of significant silence. The strong, someone has pointed out, seldom ally themselves with the strong, and the subtle intimations of character each woman picked out of the air told of strength. Each recognised the power of the other, but whether the two forces would work together wasn't certain. Mrs Satterwhite indicated chairs, and as they sat down she leaned forward. "How are the Detachment ladies? Mrs Wilson, Mrs Asano, Mrs Parker?" "Fine. Mrs Wilson is lovely, isn't she? We've hardly met, but I like her very much." "Yas." Mrs Satterwhite picked a thread off her sleeve. "Yes." "Mrs Asano - quite a beauty, though she didn't say a great deal. Most of the conversation was carried on by Mrs. Parker," "That one." And for a moment both women sat silent. "The army," Mrs Satterwhite said at last, "is like society in general. If there's no center it falls apart. And frankly that's what I feel about the Detachments. Mrs Wilson is indeed lovely, in her way, but they fail to hold together. Everybody shoots out on his own track. And if society doesn't cohere - " She held out her hands. "I couldn't agree with you more. When each one does his own |