TEN


Nov. 14th: 1800 hours

"And, listen to this: his lawyer says that all of the money I put into our account belongs to Donald!" Margaret Houlihan was waving a crumpled sheet of paper around in anger. "When we got married, we both agreed to put at least half of each paycheck into an account, so that, by the end of the war, we would have a nice 'nest egg' started."

The woman was storming about in her tent while Lieutenant MacAllister listened in sympathy. "Every payday, for months now, I've sent half, usually more. But, Donald hasn't! It's been one of his many secrets: while I've been pinching pennies, he's been pinching Geisha girls!" She ranted in frustration. "And now, my money---my money---belongs to him!"

"Major, what does your lawyer say?" the other woman asked. "Don't you have the deposit receipts or the wire transfers or something to back up your claims?"

"I haven't even bothered with a lawyer," the senior officer replied. Dispiritedly, she dropped down on her cot. "It's been such a colossal mistake, that I don't want to fight it." She looked at the other nurse sadly, "I just want it to be over."

"That does not sound like the Margaret Houlihan I know," MacAllister observed. "The head nurse who sculpted a raw, unorganized medical outfit into one of the sharpest, most finely-honed surgical hospitals around; the major known for her adherence to the rules and regulations throughout the ranks."

"And you're giving up---without a fight---to a no-good turkey of a man and his carrion feeder of alawyer?" The Texan shook her head in amazement, "I swan, Margaret, I never realized you were such a feather weight."

Looking up sharply, Houlihan glowered at the nurse until she saw her teasing grin. Straightening her shoulders, the major said, "That would be a bird-brained thing to do, wouldn't it? I don't suppose any of your numerous brothers are legal eagles, are they?"

MacAllister smiled; both in relief that the woman had not taken offense and that she was actually responding to her banter. "Nary a one. But throughout your career, you've met a lot of influential people. Someone is bound to know a good military lawyer. If not, we can probably raise enough money to get a civilian one," she suggested with a grin.

"Not if I have to compete with Hawkeye's fund raisers." Margaret Houlihan smiled in return. She was feeling confident, again. "I'll start calling people first thing in the morning. And Donald had better look out!"

"Good for you!" Sarabeth grinned. "So," she added, nonchalantly, "does this mean you haven't given up on men, entirely?"

"No. I haven't given up on men---not yet, any way." Houlihan asserted.

"In that case," MacAllister smirked, "you won't mind that I invited Colonel Hodges to the dance tomorrow."