“I hope not,” one of the girls in the front row mumbled, and several others who heard the remark, including Nora, laughed.

“There are lots of folks who don’t think you gals can handle this job.” Nora made eye contact with every girl in the room. “I know you can. I also know that you understand that what we’re doing here—what you’re doing here—is about winning this war and bringing our boys home. Nothing could be more serious, or more important, than that. In your off time, have fun, enjoy yourselves, and get some rest. When you’re on the job, when it’s your shift, know that your country is depending on you. The work is long, and it can be tedious. Be patient, and always remember what’s at stake. You’re going to do a great job. Class dismissed.”

“That was too simplistic,” Berkeley Boy A said. “They’ll never understand what they’re doing and how to make course corrections with an explanation like that.”

“The difference between them and us is that we see something go awry, and we understand the import; we want to know why. We endeavor to improve the process using scientific principles. These girls can’t think that way. They don’t have the education for it. So they use what’s right in front of them. Improving the machine and the process isn’t their job. Working with what’s in front of them is all they have. And it’s all they need. The rest is up to us scientists.” Nora walked away.

“That was brilliant.”

“Hi, Delbert.” Nora hadn’t seen Del in the classroom, but obviously he was there.

“Oh, now that hurts.”

They left the room together. “What?”

“Ugh. How many times do I have to tell you, I hate that name.”

“Your mother didn’t, or she wouldn’t have thus named you.”

“True. But she’s the only one who calls me that. Everyone else calls me Del. Why must we repeat this conversation every time I see you?”

“Because it’s fun to see your reaction.”

“You’ve got a sadistic streak, Nora. I like that in a woman. What are you doing tonight?”

“I’ve got plans with the girls.”

“Nora Lindstrom is leaving her room to do something fun? I don’t believe it.”

She didn’t mind his gentle teasing. Since that first day when he’d escorted her back to the dorm, they’d developed an easy friendship. He seemed to understand that she wasn’t looking for more, and beyond an occasional compliment, he never pushed the issue. “I didn’t say it would be fun. I only said that I was going out with the girls.”

“Fun was implied. Where are you going?”

“I let Rosalie talk me into going roller skating.”

“Oh, that does sound like fun.”

“Do you know how to skate?”