Steve McVicker clearly loves and trusts his wife, even though he refuses a romantic interlude with her while on leave. He encourages her to see her female and male friends while he is away, and expresses his affection for her before he returns to his men. He is also dedicated to the war effort, and feels responsible for his men; they become the topic of conversation several times while he is home.

Mimi is slightly more complex. She is very patriotic, and proud of Steve for his participation in the war. But she is also jealous of the war's intrusion on their lives, and specifically jealous of the men who garner so much of Steve's attention.

"[Y]ou have a whole new life—I have half an old one," she tells him. As indicated by her preparations for the leave, and by statements such as "Perhaps a...