The governor's waiting down at the Admiralty for me.
Good-bye, girls!" He waved his hand and strode down towards the corner of the Square.

Both girls watched him for a few moments.

His shoulders were as square as ever but something had gone from the springiness of his gait.

There was nothing left of the sailor's jaunty swagger.
"They are all like that," Geraldine whispered "when they've been face to face with the real thing.

And we are only women, Olive.".