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Then suddenly the ated her attitude to John You could see her beautiful hawk's eyes pursuing him about the room When she found him in the corridors or on the stairs she stopped him and chattered; under her breath because of the hushed wards

He told Charlotte about it

"That Mrs Rankin seems inclined to be a bit too friendly"

"I haven't noticed it"

"Not with you With Sutton and--and me"

"Well--"

"Well, I can't answer for Sutton, but I don't like it That isn't e're out here for"

They were going into the ether towards dinner time Mrs Rankin and Alice Bartrum were there alone, seated at their tables, ready Mrs Rankin called out in her stressed, vibrating voice across the rooht to come in with us"

"Why?"

"Because there are only four of you and we're twelve Sixteen's the proper number for a unit Alice, didn't I say, the minute I saw Mr Conith that car of his, didn't I say we ought to have him?"

"You did"

"Thanks I'd rather take my orders from the Colonel"