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Show 241 unaffected by the turmoil of its timing, Mike, back in Oji and preoccupied with diapers and formulas and feedings, showed no sense of guilt. All she could talk about was the baby, whom ghe did not name Bluce. She named him Blyce. Later visitors to Oji would never have sensed trouble. It was an admirably regulated community, and while there lingered a tendency to talk about the good old days, or request a transfer, man is notoriously malcontent: even in Eden he grew bored. In general, however, everybody adjusted, the new restrictions grew familiar, and human nature bobbed to the top like a cork in water. There came a reorientation in Oji's social life: Mrs Satterwhite was the Colonel's lady, after all, and when she entertained, the lesser breeds assembled. Tha parties were, however, more sober than those given earlier, and generally more formal. Important visitors were sometimes present, host and visitor forming a group at one end distinct from that at the other, the captains and lieutenants whom Phyllis called the Waiters ("They also serve who only stand and wait.") The most brilliant party was the first - and Sid's last: he had put in for release from active duty -- given within a couple of weeks of the Satterwhites' entry- The house had been redone, with a great deal of repainting and renovating: everyone agreed it looked splendid. General Greaves, again down for a visit, was the guest of |