“Well, I was thinking you might look into the martial arts … you know, like karate. A lot of them are designed by and for small people, and …”
He broke off when he realized Super Gnat was beaming at him with an impish grin.
“You don’t have to tell me about the martial arts, sir. You see, I’ve got belt ratin’s in three schools a karate-Korean, Japanese, and Okinawan-plus judo and some a the Chinese forms. The trouble there is that you’ve got to keep a level head for the forms to work, and when I get mad-and I gotta be mad to fight-it all just kinda slips away and I’m back to bein’ a scrapper. “
“Three schools,” Phule echoed weakly.
“That’s right. My first husband, he owned a string a dojos, so it was real easy for me to get lessons. Now, if you’ll excuse me, sir, I’m supposed to be helpin’ in the kitchen just now.”
She departed, leaving Phule gaping after her.
“Have you got a minute, Captain?”
Surprised, Phule looked up to find Chocolate Harry framed in the doorway of the penthouse. Actually the pear-shaped black supply sergeant did more than fill the doorway. He dominated it and the room with his bulk.
“Sure. Come on in, C.H. What can I do for you?”
Though deliberately casual in tone and manner, the commander was curious as to what had dragged Harry away from his normal lair in the supply rooms. They had not spoken more than in passing since the new uniforms were issued, and while the supply sergeant had been more than efficient in handling his expanded duties, Phule was curious as to his true reactions to the revitalization of the company.