Read Online The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck - Free Book Online Page B

long. He’ll look down on war from above and so he’ll always love it.”
    Lieutenant Prackle said, “When do you think the war will be over, sir?”
    â€œOver? Over? What do you mean?”
    Lieutenant Prackle continued, “How soon will we win?”
    Lanser shook his head. “Oh, I don’t know. The enemy is still in the world.”
    â€œBut we will lick them,” said Prackle.
    Lanser said, “Yes?”
    â€œWon’t we?”
    â€œYes; yes, we always do.”
    Prackle said excitedly, “Well, if it’s quiet around Christmas, do you think there will be some furloughs granted?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Lanser. “Such orders will have to come from home. Do you want to get home for Christmas?”
    â€œWell, I’d kind of like to.”
    â€œMaybe you will,” said Lanser, “maybe you will.”
    Lieutenant Tonder said, “We won’t drop out of this occupation, will we, sir, after the war is over?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said the Colonel. “Why?”
    â€œWell,” said Tonder, “it’s a nice country, nice people. Our men—some of them—might even settle here.”
    Lanser said jokingly, “You’ve seen some place you like, perhaps?”
    â€œWell,” said Tonder, “there are some beautiful farms here. If four or five of them were thrown together, it would be a nice place to settle, I think.”
    â€œYou have no family land, then?” Lanser asked.
    â€œNo, sir, not any more. Inflation took it away.”
    Lanser was tired now of talking to children. He said, “Ah, well, we still have a war to fight. We still have coal to take out. Do you suppose we can wait until it is over before we build up these estates? Such orders will come from above. Captain Loft can tell you that.” His manner changed. He said, “Hunter, your steel will be in tomorrow. You can get your tracks started this week.”
    There was a knock at the door and a sentry put his head in. He said, “Mr. Corell wishes to see you, sir.”
    â€œSend him in,” said the colonel. And he said to the others, “This is the man who did the preliminary work here. We might have some trouble with him.”
    â€œDid he do a good job?” Tonder asked.
    â€œYes, he did, and he won’t be popular with the people here. I wonder whether he will be popular with us.”
    â€œHe deserves credit, certainly,” Tonder said.
    â€œYes,” Lanser said, “and don’t think he won’t claim it.”
    Corell came in, rubbing his hands. He radiated good-will and good-fellowship. He was dressed still in his black business suit, but on his head there was a patch of white bandage, stuck to his hair with a cross of adhesive tape. He advanced to the center of the room and said, “Good morning, Colonel. I should have called yesterday after the trouble downstairs, but I knew how busy you would be.”
    The colonel said, “Good morning.” Then with a circular gesture of his hand. “This is my staff, Mr. Corell.”
    â€œFine boys,” said Corell. “They did a good job. Well, I tried to prepare for them well.”
    Hunter looked down at his board and he took out an inking-pen and dipped it and began to ink in his drawing.
    Lanser said, “You did very well. I wish you hadn’t killed those six men, though. I wish their soldiers hadn’t come back.”
    Corell spread his hands and said comfortably, “Six men is a small loss for a town of this size, with a coal mine, too.”
    Lanser said sternly, “I am not averse to killing people if that finishes it. But sometimes it is better not to.”
    Corell had been studying the officers. He looked sideways at the lieutenants, and he said, “Could we—perhaps—talk alone, Colonel?”
    â€œYes, if you wish. Lieutenant Prackle and Lieutenant Tonder, will you go to your room,