C.,
when the officers were gathered about him in the orderly room.
"I think it was the Sky Pilot, sir--the chaplain, sir," said Lieutenant
Stewart Duff.
"Was it you that laughed, Captain Dunbar?" asked the colonel, turning
upon Barry.
"Perhaps I did, sir. I'm sorry if--"
"Sorry!" exclaimed the colonel. "Dammit, sir, you saved the situation
for us all. Who told you it was a false alarm?"
"No one, sir. I didn't know it was a false alarm. I was looking at
Lieutenant Duff--" He checked himself promptly. "I mean, sir--well, it
seemed a good place to laugh, so I just let it come."
The colonel's eyes rested with curious inquiry upon the serene face of
the chaplain, with its glowing eyes and candid expression. "A good place
for a laugh? It was a damned good place for a laugh, and gentlemen, I
thank God I have one officer who finds in the face of sudden danger a
good place for a laugh. And now I have something to say to you."
The O. C.'s remarks did not improve the officers' opinion of themselves,
and they slunk out of the room--no other word properly describes the
cowed and shamed appearance of that company of men--they slunk out of
the room.
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