“Aren’t we going to see the ducks in the park? You promised.”
“Yes, of course. It’ll be fun watching the ducks. Let’s go across to the bay walk.”
They succeeded in crossing the street finally, and hurried down the path curving around the bay shore. In sight of the water Kitty’s spirits always lifted. After all it was for such as Billy that this war was being fought, that they might be free to go to parks and feed ducks, and walk along a bay shore without fear of bombs overhead. As Dad had said, she was really doing more than her bit, giving him a start in life.
Bayshore Park was a lovely spot of green under magnificent moss-draped live oaks. By the time they reached it the parade had broken up and marines, soldiers and sailors were scattered about the green slopes, resting after their long march. At the duck pond Kitty took a small package of bread crumbs for the ducks from her purse and handed them to Billy.
As she sat on a bench near by, her attention was suddenly caught by a group of Canteen workers serving a lunch to the tired soldiers. There were young girls in the Corps, some even younger than she, laughing and talking with the men as they served them coffee, doughnuts and sandwiches from a long table under the trees. How hungry the boys seemed and how appreciative of having some girls to talk to!
Now she recognized one of the girls from near her home over on Palmetto Island. Why Sally Bright was still in high school! How could she get into the Canteen Corps?
“Look, Kitty, the sailor made me a boat!” Again Billy’s voice recalled her from her abstraction.
She discovered a young yeoman squatting by the pond with Billy as they launched a magnolia-leaf boat, with an oak-leaf sail. Billy was gobbling half a sandwich the sailor had given him.
“You shouldn’t have given him your sandwich!” she exclaimed.
The young man sprang to his feet, apparently seeing her for the first time.
“They’re so good,” he explained. “I couldn’t eat with him looking on.” He had brown eyes that twinkled as he spoke.
“Let me get you one? These Canteen girls sure have a genius for making sandwiches.”
“Oh, no, don’t bother, please. I’m not hungry.”
“I’ve a kid sister who’s learned lots about good food since she’s been a Canteen worker.”