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time enough for love-时间足够你爱(英文版)-第77部分

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h the centuries; then he would be picked up on Monday morning…and this war and all its troubles would again be something that happened a long time ago…and 〃Ted Bronson〃 would be someone Gramp and Maureen had known briefly and would forget。
  
  Too bad he had not had time to get those messages etched; nevertheless; one of them might last。 If not…then make rendezvous for pickup in 1926。 Or if none of them got through
  
  …always a possibility since he was attempting to use Delay Mail before it was properly set up…then wait for 1929 and carry out rendezvous as originally planned。 No problem about that; the twins and Dora were ready to keep that one; no matter what。
  
  Then why did he feel so bad?
  
  This wasn't his war。
  
  Time enough and Gramp would know that the prediction he had blurted out was Simple truth。 In time Gramp would learn what French 〃gratitude〃 amounted to…when 〃Lafayette; we are here!〃 was forgotten and the refrain was 〃Pas un sou a l'Am醨ique!〃 Or British 〃gratitude〃 for that matter。 There was no gratitude between nations; never had been; never would be。 〃Pro…German〃? Hell; no; Gramp! There is something rotten at the very heart of German culture; and this war is going to lead to another with German atrocities a thousand times more terrible than any they are accused of today。 Gas chambers and a stink of burning flesh in planned viciousness… A stench that lasted through the centuries… But there was no way to tell Gramp and Maureen any of
  
  this。 Nor should he try。 The best thing about the future was that it was unknown。 Cassandra's one good quality was that she was never believed。
  
  So why should it matter that two …people who could not possibly know what he knew misunderstood why he thought this war was useless?
  
  But the fact was that it did matter…it mattered terribly。
  
  He felt the slight bulge against his left ribs。 A defense for his gold…gold he did not give a…damn about。 But a 〃termination option〃 switch; too。
  
  508Snap out of it; you silly fool! You don't want to be dead; you simply want the approval of Gramp and Maureen。 …of Maureen。
  
  The recruiting station was under the main post office; far downtown。 Late as it was; it was still open; with a queue outside。 Lazarus paid an old Negro a dollar to sit in his car; warned him that there was a grip in the back; promised him another … dollar when he got back…and did not mention the money vest and pistol; both now in the grip。 But Lazarus did not worry about car or money…might be simpler if …both were stolen。 He joined the queue。
  
  〃Name?〃
  
  〃Bronson; Theodore。〃
  
  〃Previous military experience?〃……
  
  〃None。〃
  
  〃Age? No; date of birth…and it had better be before April
  
  5; 1899。〃
  
  〃November 11; 1890。〃 …
  
  〃You don't look that old; but okay。 Take this paper and through that door。 You'll find sacks or pillow cases。 Take your clothes off; put 'em in one; keep 'em with you。 Hand this to one of the docs and do what he tells you。〃
  
  〃Thank you; Sergeant。〃
  
  〃Get moving。 Next。〃
  
  A doctor in uniform was assisted by six。 more in civilian clothes。 Lazarus read the Snellen Card correctly; but the doctor did not seem to be listening; this seemed to be a 〃warm body〃 examination。 Lazarus saw only one man rejected; one who was (in Lazarus' horseback … judgment) in the terminal stages of consumption。 …
  
  Only one physician seemed at all anxious to find defects。 He had Lazarus bend over and pull his buttock cheeks apart; felt for hernias and made him cough; then palpated his belly。 〃What's this hard mass on the right side?〃 …
  
  〃I don't know; sir。〃… …
  
  〃Have you had your appendix out? Yes; I see the scar。 Feel the ridge; rather; the scar hardly shows。 You had a good surgeon; I wish I could do one that neat。 Probably just a mass of fecal matter there; take a dose of calomel and you'll be rid of
  
  it by morning。…
  
  509…〃Thank you; Doctor;〃
  
  〃Don't mention it; Son。 Next。〃
  
  〃Hold … up your right hands and repeat after me
  
  … 〃Hang onto these slips of paper。 Be at the station befon seven tomorrow morning; show your slip to a sergeant at thc
  
  information desk; he'll tell you whde to board。 If you lost your slip of paper; be there anyhow…or Uncle Sam will e
  
  looking for you。 That's all; men; you're in the Army now Out through that door。〃 * …
  
  His car was still there; the old Negro got out。 〃Eve'ything'~ fine; Cap'm!〃
  
  〃It surely is;〃 Lazarus agreed heartily while getting out dollar bill。 〃But it's 'Private;' not 'Captain。'
  
  〃They took you? In that case; I cain't hahdly take youal dollah。〃
  
  〃Sure you can! I don't need it; Uncle Sam is looking oul for me for the 'duration;' and he's going to pay me twenty…onc dollars a month besides。 So put this with the other one and buy gin and drink a toast to me…Private Ted Bronson。〃
  
  〃Ah couldn't rightly do that; Cap'm…Private Ted Bronson sub。 Ah'm White Ribbon…Ah took the plaidge befoah you was bohn。 You jes' keep youah money and hang the KaisuF fo' us。〃
  
  〃I'll try; Uncle。 … Let's make this five dollars and you can give it to your church 。 。 and say a prayer for me。〃
  
  〃Well 。 。 if you say so; Cap'm Private。〃
  
  Lazarus tooled south on McGee feeling happy。 Never take little bites; enjoy life! 〃K…K…K… Katyl Beautiful Katy…〃
  
  He stopped at a drugstore; looked over the cigar counter; spotted a nearly empty box of White Owls; bought the remaining cigars; asked to keep the box。 He then bought a roll of
  
  cotton and a spool of surgical tape…and; on impulse; the biggest; fanciest box of candy in the store。
  
  His car was parked under an arc light; he let it stay there; got into the back seat; dug into his grip; got out vest and pistol; then started an un…tailoring job; indifferent to the chance of being seen。 Five minutes with his pocketknife undid hours of tailoring; heavy coins clinked into the cigar box。 He cushioned them with cotton; sealed the box and strengthened it by wrapping it with tape~ The slashed vest; the pistol; and his ticket west went down a storm drain and the last of Lazarus' worries went with them。 He smiled as he stood up
  
  510and brushed his knees。' Son; you are getting old…why; you've been living cautiously!
  
  He drove gaily out Linwood to Benton; ignoring the city's
  
  seventeen…miles…per…hour speed limit。 He was pleased to see lights burning on the lower floor of the Brian Smith residence;
  
  he would not have to wake anyone。 He went up the walk burdened with the candy box; the case for chessmen; and the taped cigar box。 The porch light came on as he reached the
  
  …steps; Brian Junior opened the door and looked out。 〃Grand…
  
  …paw! It's Mr。 Bronson!〃 ……
  
  第72节
  
  〃Correction;〃 Lazarus said firmly。 〃Please tell your grandfather that Private Bronson is here。〃
  
  Gramp appeared at once; looked at Lazarus suspiciously。 〃What is this? What did I hear you tell that boy?〃 …
  
  〃I asked him to announce 'Private Bronson。' Me。〃 Lazarus managed to get all three packages under his left arm; reached into a pocket; got out the sup of paper he had been given at the recruiting station。 〃Look at it。〃
  
  Mr。 Johnson read it。 〃I see。 But why? Feeling the way you do。〃 …
  
  〃Mr。 Johnson; I never said I was not going to enlist; I simply said I had things to do first。 That was true; I did have。
  
  It's true also that I have misgivings about the ultimate usefulness of this war。 But regardless of any opinion…which I should have kept to myself…the time has e to close ranks
  
  and move forward together。 So I went down and volunteered and they accepted me。〃
  
  Mr。 Johnson handed back the … recruitment form; opened the door wide。 〃e in; Ted!〃;
  
  Lazarus saw heads disappearing as he came in; apparently most of the family was still up。 His grandfather ushered him into the parlor。 〃Please sit down。 I must go tell my daughter。〃
  
  ~'If Mrs。 Smith has retired; I would not want her to be disturbed;〃 Lazarus lied。 (Hell; no; Gramp! I'd rather crawl… in with her。 But that's one secret I'll keep forever。)
  
  〃Never you mind。 This is something she will want to know。 Uh; that piece of paper…may I have it to show her?〃
  
  〃Certainly; sir。〃
  
  Lazarus waited。 Ira Johnson returned in a few minutes; handed back the proof of enlistment。 〃She'll be …down shortly。〃
  
  …The old man sighed。 〃Ted; I'm proud of you。 Earlier …today you had me upset…and I spoke out of turn。 … I'm sorry…I apologize。〃。
  
  〃I can't accept it because there is nothing to apologize for;
  
  511sir。 I spoke hastily and did not make myself cleat。 Can we forget it? Will you shake hands with me?〃
  
  〃Bh? Yes。 Surely! Mrrph!〃 Solemnly they shook hands。 (Maybe Gramp could still straight…arm an anvil…my fingers are crushed。)
  
  〃Mr。 Johnson; would you take care of some things for me? Things I didn't have time to do?〃
  
  〃Eh? Certainly!〃
  
  〃This box; mainly。〃 Lazarus handed him the taped cigar box。 …
  
  Mr。 Johnson took it; his eyebrows shot up。 〃Heavy。〃
  
  〃I cleaned out my lockbox。 Gold coins。 I'll pick it up when the war is over 。 ; or if I don't; will you give it to Woodie? When he's twenty…one?〃
  
  'What? Now; now; Son; you'll e through all right。〃
  
  I plan to; and I'll pick it up then。 But I might fall down a ladder in a troopship and break my silly neck。 Will you do it?〃
  
  〃Yes; I'll do it。〃
  
  〃Thank you; sir。 This is for Woodie right now。 My chessmen。 I can't pack them around。 I'd give them to you except that you would think up some reason not to take them
  
  but Woodie won't。〃
  
  〃Mrrph。 Very well; sir。〃
  
  〃Here's one thing that is for you…but it's not quite what it seems。〃 Lazarus handed over the bill of sale for the landaulet。
  
  Mr; Johnson read it。 〃Ted; if you're trying to give me your automobile; you can think again。〃
  
  〃That's only a nominal conveyance of title; sir。 What I would like is to leave it with you。 Brian can drive it; he's a good driver now; he's a natural。 You can drive it; even Mrs。 Smith might want to learn。 When Lieutenant Smith is home; he may find it convenient。 But if they send me for training anywhere near here and I get time off before I'm sent overseas; I'd like to feel free to use it myself。〃
  
  〃But why hand me a bill of sale? Sure; it can sit in the barn
  
  and no doubt Brian…both of them…would drive it。 Might learn to herd it myself~ But no need for this。〃
  
  〃Oh。 I didn't make myself clear。 Suppose I'm off somewhere; say in New Jersey…but want to sell it。 I can drop you a penny postcard; and it'S easy; because you'll have that。〃 Lazarus added thoughtfully; 〃Or I might fall down that ladder 。 。 in which case the same reasoning applies。 If you don't want it; you can sign it over to Brian Junior。 Or whatever。 Mr。
  
  512Johnson; you know I don't have any relatives…so why not let
  
  … …it run easy?〃
  
  Before Gramp could reply; Mrs。 Smith came in; dressed in her best and smiling~ (a?d had been crying; Lazarus felt certain)。 She extended her hand。 〃Mr。 Bronson! We are all so proud of you!〃
  
  Her voice; her fragrance; the touch of her hand; her proud joy; all hit Lazarus in the gut; his careful conditioning was swept away。 (Maureen beloved; it's lucky that I'm being sent away at once。 Safer for you; … better all around。 But I did it to
  
  make you proud of me; and now my cup runh over…and please ask rile to sit down before Gramp notices the tilt of my
  
  kilt!)
  
  ~Thank you; Mrs。 Smith。 I just stopped by to say thank you and good…bye…and good night; too; as I'm shipping out early tomorrow morning。〃 …
  
  〃Oh; do please sit down! Coffee at least; and the children will want to say good…bye to you; too。〃
  
  An hour later he was still there and still happier…happy all through。 The candy had been opened after he had presented it to Carol for all of them。 Lazarus had drunk much coffee thick with cream and sugar and had eaten a hefty slice of home…baked white cake with chocolate icing; then accepted a second while admitting that he had not eaten since breakfast
  
  …then protested when Maureen wanted to jump up and cook。 They reached … a promise under which Carol went out to make a sandwich for him。
  
  〃It's been a confusing day;〃 he explained; 〃and 1 haven't had time to eat。 You caused me to change plans; Mr。 Johnson。〃
  
  〃I did; Ted? How?〃
  
  〃You know…I think I've told you both…that I planned to make a business trip to San Francisco leaving the first of July。 Then this happens…Congress declaring war…and I decided to make the trip at once; settle my affairs there…then enlist。
  
  When I saw you I was all set to leave; packed and everything
  
  …and you made me realize that the Kaiser wouldn't wait while I took care of private affairs。 So I joined up at once。〃 Lazarus managed to look sheepish。 〃My packed grip is still out in the car; going nowhere。〃 … …
  
  Ira Johnson looked pained。 〃I didn't mean to rush you; Ted。 'Twouldn't have l~urt to take a few days to wind up your affairs; they can't organize an army overnight。 I …know; I saw 'em try; in 'Niy…eight。 Mrrph。 Perhaps I could make the trip
  
  513for you? As yotir agent。 Seeing that… Well; doesn't look like I'm going to be too busy。〃
  
  〃No; no! A million thanks; sir…but I hadn't been thinking straight。 Thinking 'peacetime' instead of 'wartime' until you got me back on the rails。 I went to Western Union and wrote a night letter to my broker in Frisco; telling him what I wanted him to do; then I wrote a note appointing him my attorney…in…fact and got it notarized and went to the downtown post office and registered it to him。 All done; everything taken care of。〃 Lazarus was enjoying the improvisation so much be almost … believed it。 〃Then i went downstairs and enlisted。 But that grip…Do you suppose you could put it in your garret? I won't be taking a grip to soldier。 Just a few toilet articles。〃
  
  〃I'll take care of it; Mr。 Bronson!〃 said Brian Junior。 〃In my room!〃
  
  〃In our room;〃 George corrected。 〃We'll take care of it。〃
  
  〃Hold it; boys。 Ted? Would it break your heart if you lost that grip?〃 …
  
  〃Not at all; Mr。 Johnson。 Why?〃
  
  〃Then take it with you。 But when you get … back to your flat tonight; pack it differently。 You put in white shirts and stiff collars; no doubt。 You won't need those。 If you've got any work shirts; take those。 Be sure to take a pair of wellbroken…in high shoes you can march in; Socks…aII you own。 Underwear。 It's my guess…based on sad experience…that they won't have enough uniforms right away。 Confusion; and
  
  lots of it。 You may be soldiering for a month or more in what you carry with you。〃
  
  〃I think;〃 Mrs。 Smith said seriously; 〃that Father is right; Mr。 Bronson。 Mr。 Smith…Lieutenant Smith; my husband… was saying somethi
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