Chapter 18 Chapter Seventeen

Over the next five years, the worldwide economy experienced astonishing growth.Kruger-Brent Ltd. was founded on diamonds and gold.But today its products have diversified and expanded to the whole world.The center of operations is no longer South Africa.The company recently purchased a publishing group, an insurance company, and a half-million-acre tree farm. One night, Kate woke David up, "Honey, let's move the company's headquarters." David sat up in a daze, "W-what?" "The trading center of the world is now New York. Our headquarters should be there. South Africa is too far away. Besides, we now have a telegraph that can reach any of our offices in a few minutes."

"Why didn't I think of that?" David grunted, and then fell asleep again. ※※※ New York is an exciting new world.On her previous visits, Kate had felt the city's rapidly beating pulse.Living in this place is like falling into the center of development, the earth seems to turn more quickly, everything is going on at a faster pace. Kate and David scout a place on Wall Street for the company's new headquarters.Architects have also started working on the preparatory work.Kate has selected an architect to design a 16th-century French Renaissance mansion on Fifth Avenue. "This city is really noisy," David complained.

Indeed.The air in all parts of the city was filled with the impact of riveting guns, and skyscrapers rose from the ground, towering into the sky.New York has become a mecca for commerce around the world.It is the center of shipping, insurance and transportation.This is a city with a unique vitality.Kate likes it here, but she feels that David is not happy. "David, this is the future. This city grows, and we grow with it." "My God, Kate, how much more do you want?" Without thinking, she replied, "As many as you want." She didn't understand why David would ask such a question.The game is to win, and it is only when you beat others that you win.For her, this is all too clear.But why couldn't David understand it?David was a shrewd businessman, but he was missing something, a desire, a passion to conquer, to do the biggest and best.Her father had that spirit, and so did she.Kate is not very clear, since when she had that spirit.At some point in her life anyway, the company became the master and she became the slave, and it wasn't so much that she owned the company as it owned her.

When she shared her thoughts with David, he laughed and said, "You work so hard." How much she resembled her father, David thought.But for some reason, he had a vague sense of displeasure. How can one think that work is too hard?Kate was a little puzzled.There is no greater joy in life than this.Her most vital moment is at work.Every day brings new problems, and each problem is a challenge, a puzzle to solve, a race to win.She is well versed in it.She was captivated by something unimaginable.It's neither money nor achievement, it's power.This power dictates the destinies of thousands of individuals in every corner of the world.Just as her own fate was at one point at the mercy of her.As long as she is in power, she doesn't need anyone's help.Power is an incredible weapon.

The kings, queens and presidents competed to entertain Kate.They wanted to curry favor with her, to gain her favor.A new Kruger-Brent factory could turn a region from poverty to wealth.This is power.Her company was a thriving, maturing giant that needed to be fed constantly.Sometimes certain sacrifices have to be made, because the giant's development cannot be limited.Now Kate realizes that it has its own pulse, its own rhythm.This has also become Kate's own pulse and rhythm. ※※※ It's been a year since they moved to New York. In March, Kate felt unwell, and David urged her to see a doctor.

"His name is John Harley, and he is a well-known young doctor." Kate reluctantly agreed.John Harry was a thin, serious Bostonian of about twenty-six, five years younger than Kate. "I'll tell you," Kate told him, "I don't have time to be sick." "I'll keep that in mind. Mrs. Blackwell. Now let me check." Dr. Harry examined her, did some tests, and said, "I'm sure it's nothing serious. The results will be back in a day or two. Call me on Wednesday." ※※※ Early Wednesday morning, Kate called Dr. Harry. "I have good news for you, Mrs. Blackwell," he said cheerfully. "You are pregnant."

It was one of the most emotional moments of Kate's life and she couldn't wait to break the news to David. She had never seen David so excited, and he lifted her up in his strong arms and said, "It must be a girl, she will look exactly like you." That was what Kate needed, he thought.Now, she will spend more time at home, and she will be more like a wife. It must be a boy, Kate thought.Someday he will take over Kruger-Brent. ※※※ As her due date approached, Kate cut back on her hours but still came to work every day. "Don't worry about the company's business, take a good rest." David advised her.

Unbeknownst to him, working in the company was rest for Kate. The due date is December. "I'm going to be born on the 25th," Kate promised David, "and he'll be our Christmas present." That must be a perfect Christmas, Kate thought.Today she is the head of a conglomerate.She married the man she loved and was about to bear him a child.But was there some irony in her order, Kate didn't realize it. ※※※ Kate's body became bloated and her mobility was limited.She also found it increasingly difficult to come to the office.Whenever David or Brad Rogers advised her to stay home, she always said, "My brain can still work." Two months before the due date, David was going to South Africa to visit Neil's mines , he plans to return to New York in a week.

Kate was working at her desk when Brad Rogers walked in without knocking.Seeing the heavy look on his face, she said, "Did Shannon blow the deal?" "No, I—Kate, I just got the news that something happened. It was a mine explosion." She felt a twinge in her heart. "Where? Is it serious? Is anyone dead?" Brad took a deep breath, "Six or seven people died, including Kate and David." The words seemed to fill the room at once, pounding against the siding and then echoing through the room again, louder and louder until they became screams in her ears.The sound poured down like Niagara Falls, drowning her.Slowly she felt herself being sucked into the center of the waterfall again, and then she sank deeper and deeper until she couldn't breathe.

Everything became dark and silent. ※※※ An hour later, the baby was born, two months premature.Kate named him Anthony James Blackwell.It was named after David's father.I love you for myself, Kate thought, and I love you for your father, my son. A month later, the Fifth Avenue mansion was completed, and Kate and the baby moved in, along with a crew of servants.The contents of the two castles in Italy were all brought into this house.It has become a museum here. The furniture in the 16th century is all made of walnut heart wood, with fine carvings and antique flavors.Rose-coloured marble floors are bordered with ochre-red marble.The paneled library has a splendid eighteenth-century fireplace with a rare Holbein painting on it.In the Trophy Room are various guns from David's collection.There is also an art gallery, which Kate fills with paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Velázquez and Bellini, among others.In addition, there is a ballroom, a solarium, a large dining room.Adjacent to Kate's room is the nursery.There are numerous additional bedrooms.There are many statues in the large Italian-style garden, all of which are works of masters such as Rodin, Saint-Gauden and Maillol.This is literally a king's palace.The king grew up in it, Kate thought happily.

In 1928, when Tony was four, Kate sent him to kindergarten.He is a beautiful but very serious boy.Gray eyes and a stubborn jaw like his mother's.He studied music first, and at the age of five was sent to a dance school.Some of the best time mother and son spend together is at Pine Ridge Residence in Dark Harbor.Kate bought a yacht, an eighty-foot motor sailboat.She christened it "The Kessel."She and Tony took a boat tour of the coast of Maine.Tony loved it.But it was work that brought Kate the greatest joy. The company Jamie McGregor built has its mystique.It's always so vibrant and absorbs everything.It was her lover, it would not die one winter's day and leave her alone, its life was eternal.She must keep it going.One day in the future, she will give it to her son. ※※※ The only thing in Kate's life that bothers her is the problems of her old home.She is very concerned about things in South Africa.Racial conflicts are growing there, and Kate is very worried about it. There are two political camps: the bigots, who advocate apartheid.Enlightened, advocated to improve the status of blacks.Prime Minister James Herzog and Jan Smuts formed a coalition to pass a new land law.Blacks were disenfranchised and denied land.This new law affected tens of millions of members of various ethnic minority groups to varying degrees.Areas devoid of mines, industrial centers, and ports were assigned to colored, black, and Indian populations. Kate arranged meetings with several senior officials in South Africa. "It's a ticking time bomb," Kate told them. "You're enslaving eight million people by what you're doing." "It's not slavery, Mrs. Blackwell. We're doing it for their own good." "Really? How do you explain all this?" “Each ethnicity has unique contributions. If blacks mix with whites, they risk assimilation. We are protecting them.” "Total nonsense," Kate retorted. "South Africa has become a racist hell." "That's not true. Black people from other countries come all the way to get into this country. They pay up to fifty-six pounds for a fake pass. Black people live better here than anywhere else on earth it is good." "Then I pity them," retorted Kate. "They're primitive children, Mrs. Blackwell. It's for their own good." Kate was very depressed after the meeting, deeply worried for her country. Kate is also very concerned about Banda.You often see him in the newspapers.South African newspapers dubbed him "the chameleon".In their reports, they also had to show a trace of admiration.He often disguised himself as a laborer, coachman, cleaner, etc. to escape the police.He organized a guerrilla army.He was therefore the number one criminal wanted by the police.There was a report in the Cape Town Times that demonstrators in a black village carried him on their shoulders and marched through the streets to celebrate their victory.He went from village to village, giving lectures to the students.And when the police got the news and came after him, Banda always disappeared.It is said that hundreds of friends and followers do his guard work.He changes places to sleep every night.Kate knew that nothing could stop him from working except death. She must get in touch with him.So she called in an experienced black foreman.She has always trusted this person. "William, do you think you can find Banda?" "As long as he is willing to be found." "Try it, I want to see him." "I do my best." The next morning the foreman said to her, "If you are free tonight, a car will be waiting for you to take you to the countryside." The car took Kate to a small village seventy miles north of Johannesburg.The driver stopped in front of a small house, and Kate got out and went inside.Banda was there waiting for her.He was the same as the last time she saw him.He must be sixty, Kate thought.Over the years, he has been running from place to place, evading the police.But he still looked very peaceful and calm. He hugged Kate and said, "You're getting prettier every time." She laughed loudly, "I'm old, and I'll be forty in a few years." "The years have shown you lightly, Kate." They go into the kitchen.As Banda made coffee, Kate said, "I don't like the situation, Banda. How will things go?" "Things are going to get worse," Banda replied curtly. "The government won't let us talk to them. The white people tear down the bridges between the two sides. One day, they will find that they need those bridges to communicate with us." Connect. We have our own heroes, Nehemiah Thiel, Mukunai, Richard Msiman. The white folks drive us like cattle to pasture." "Not all white people think that way," Kate said firmly. "You have some friends who are fighting to change this. It will change someday, Banda, but it will take time." "Time is like sand in an hourglass, it will run out." "How's Banda, Tym and Magina?" "My wife and son are hiding," Banda said sadly. "The police are busy looking for me." "Is there anything I can do to help? I can't stand by and watch. Is money useful?" "Money is always useful." "Then I'll make arrangements. What else?" "Pray, pray for us all." Kate returned to New York the next morning. ※※※ When Tony was old enough to travel, Kate took him around on business trips during his school holidays.He especially loved museums and would spend hours gazing at the paintings and sculptures of the masters.At home, Tony traced the oil paintings on the wall, but he was embarrassed to let his mother see his work. He's sweet, smart and funny, and a little shy, which people find endearing.Kate is very proud of her son.He is always the first in the class. "You left them all behind, didn't you, honey." She laughed, and held him tightly in her arms. Little Tony studied harder and never let his mother down. On Tony's twelfth birthday in 1936, Kate returned from the Middle East.She misses Tony terribly and can't wait to see him.Tony is at home waiting for his mother to come back.As soon as she saw him, she hugged him desperately, "Happy birthday, dear, are you having a good day?" "Yes-yes, ma-mother. Very-very-pleasant." Kate stepped back and looked at him.She had never noticed him stuttering in the past. "What's the matter with you, Tony?" "V-very well, thank you, Ma-Mum." "Don't stammer like that. Speak slowly." "Yes, mother—mother." Over the next few weeks, he stuttered worse.Kate decided to talk to Dr. Harry.After the doctor finished the examination, he said, "Physically, there is nothing wrong with the child. Kate, is he stressed?" "My son? Of course not. Why do you ask that?" "Tony was a very sensitive child. Stuttering is often a sign of frustration, the result of not being able to cope with a situation." "You are wrong, John, Tony is one of the best in all subjects in school. Last semester, he also won three awards: best all-around athlete, best all-round student, and best student in art class. It is hard for me to agree Said he couldn't handle his surroundings." "So it is." He looked at her, "What do you do when Tony stutters, Kate." "Of course I corrected him." "I advise you not to do that, it will make him more nervous." Kate was annoyed by this. "If Tony has the mental problems you think he is, I can assure you it wasn't caused by his mother. I love him, he knows it, and I see him as the smartest man in the world." children." That's the crux of the matter, no kid is held to that high a standard.Dr. Harry glanced down at his chart. "Let's see, is Tony twelve years old?" "yes." "Perhaps it would do him good to go away for a while. Maybe find a private school somewhere." Kate just stared at him without speaking. "Leave him free until he finishes high school. Some schools in Switzerland are pretty good." Switzerland!She was instantly terrified at the thought of Tony being sent so far away from her.He was too young to live alone, and he—Dr. Harry watched her. "I'll think about it again," Kate told him. That afternoon, she canceled a board meeting and went home early.Tony is doing his homework in his room. Tony said, "I got--got--all A's today, Mom--Mom." "Do you want to go to Switzerland?" His eyes sparkled, and he said, "I-I-may I go?" ※※※ Six weeks later, Kate arranged for Tony to be put on a ship.He will go to school at the Rosey College in Raleigh, a small town on the shores of Lake Geneva.Kate stood at the pier in New York Harbor, watching the huge passenger ship being dragged out of the port by a tugboat, and then moved forward freely.hell!I will miss him.She turned and went back to the waiting car.The car drove her towards her office building. ※※※ Kate loves working with Brad Rogers.He was forty-six, two years older than Kate.They have become good friends for so many years.Kate liked him because he was loyal to Kruger-Brent.Brad is not married and has several beautiful girlfriends.But slowly Kate realized that half of him was in love with her.More than once he deliberately made some hints.But she'd rather keep their relationship to a working relationship, and only once did she break that line. Brad started seeing a girl regularly.Every night he came back late at night, and he looked tired and absent-minded during the morning meeting.This situation is very bad for the company.After a month, and he was getting worse and worse, Kate decided to do something about it.She remembered that David had almost left the company for a woman.She couldn't let this happen to Brad again. Kate had planned to go to Paris alone to buy an import-export business, but at the last minute she decided to ask Brad to accompany her.On the day they arrived, they attended many meetings during the day, and in the evening the two of them went to the Daweifu restaurant for dinner.Kate later suggested that Brad come to her suite at the King George V Hotel and study the report on the new company together.When he arrived, Kate was waiting in sheer silk knit pajamas. "I bring the modified conditions," Brad said, "we—" "Let's talk about that later." Kate said tenderly.There was something provocative in her voice which made him look up at her. "I want the two of us alone, Brad." "Kate—" She threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly. "My God!" he said, "I've missed you so long." "I want you too, Brad." They went into the bedroom. Kate is a sexy woman, but for a long time, her sexual drive has been channeled into other channels.Her work has completely satisfied her, and she has ulterior motives in finding Brad this time. "Kate, I've been in love with you for a long time..." He was above her, repeating the old, timeless rhythm. But she was thinking in her heart: The price they charged for this company is really fucking too high.They knew I was desperate for this company.It looks like they won't budge. Brad whispered love words in her ear. I can suspend negotiations and wait for them to come to me again.But what if they don't come?Then I'm going to lose the deal, can I take the risk? His tempo picked up, Kate's hips moved against his body. No, they can easily find another buyer, or give them what they want.I could sell a subsidiary to make up for the loss. Brad moaned in pleasure as Kate sped up, bringing him to orgasm. I told them right away and decided to accept their terms. With a long, trembling cry, Brad said, "Oh my God, Kate, that's great. How do you feel, honey?" "Like heaven." That night she lay in Brad's arms.When he was asleep, she was thinking and planning.When he woke up the next morning, she said, "Brad, that woman you've been dating—" "My God, you're jealous!" he smiled happily. "Forget her. I'll never see her again, I promise." ※※※ Since then, Kate has never slept with Brad again.He didn't understand why she turned him down, and she just said, "You don't know how much I want to, Brad. But I'm afraid we won't be able to work together anymore. Both of us will have to make sacrifices." .” He had to endure it like this. While the company continued to expand, Kate established a number of charitable foundations, donating to universities, churches and schools.Her art collection is constantly growing.She bought works by masters of the Renaissance and beyond, such as Raphael, Titian, Tintoretto and Greco, as well as Baroque paintings such as Rubens, Carava Joe and Van Dyke.It is said that the value of Blackwell's collection is second to none among private collections in the world.Those collections are so prestigious that only invited guests can feast their eyes on them.Kate is not allowed to take pictures and does not discuss the collection with the press.Her dealings with the press had strict, inflexible boundaries.The private life of the Blackwell family is private.Servants, employees of the company, were not allowed to talk about Blackwell's family affairs.Of course, it is impossible to be completely free from rumors or speculation.Kate Blackwell is a mysterious figure that people can't figure out.She is one of the richest and most powerful women in the world.Thousands of questions could be asked about her, but few answers. ※※※ Kate called the dean of Rosey College: "I want to know about Tony." "Oh, he's fine, Mrs. Blackwell. Your son's a top student, and he—" "I didn't ask that, I meant—" She hesitated, as if unwilling to admit that there was still some dishonor in the Blackwells. "I mean, does he still stutter?" "Ma'am, I can't see any signs of stuttering. He's perfectly normal." Kate secretly let out a sigh of relief.She has always been very clear in her heart that it is only temporary, a stage that must be passed through.That's what doctors do! A month later, Tony returned home and Kate met him at the airport.He looked healthy and handsome, and Kate was filled with pride. "Oh, my dear, how are you?" "H-yes, ma-mum, you-you-how are you?" ※※※ During the holidays at home, Tony devoured the paintings his mother collected while he was away.He admired the masterpieces of those masters so much.He was fascinated by French Impressionists, such as Monet, Renoir, Manet and Morisot: they showed a magical world in front of Tony.He bought oil paints and an easel, and began to paint.He felt that his drawing was terrible, and he still didn't want to show it to anyone.How can they compare with those exquisite masterpieces? Kate said to him: "One day in the future, all these paintings will belong to you, dear." But this thought made the thirteen-year-old boy uneasy.His mother didn't understand this.The paintings never really belonged to him because he didn't pay anything to get them.He made up his mind to try to go his own way. He had a kind of conflicted psychology, wanting to leave his mother, but reluctant to leave.Around her, everything is so interesting and attractive.She was the center of the whirlwind, calling the shots, buying and selling, and doing business that was frighteningly large.She also took him to some fantastic places and introduced him to some interesting characters.She's a formidable tycoon, and Tony couldn't be more proud of her.In his eyes, she is the most attractive woman in the world.What makes him sad is that as long as he is in front of her, he always stutters. Kate never knew how much her son was in awe of her.Until one time when he came home for vacation, he asked, "Mom-mum, do you rule-rule the whole world?" She laughed and said, "Of course not. How could you ask such a silly question?" "My friends at school used to talk about you like, man, you're so--something." "I'm great," Kate said, "I'm your mother." Tony wanted to bring all the best things in the world to make Kate happy.He knew how important this company was to her, and how much she hoped he would manage it one day.His heart was full of remorse, because he knew that he couldn't do that.He didn't want to arrange his life that way. When he tried to explain this to his mother, she always laughed, "Nonsense. Tony, you're too young to know what to do with your future." He stuttered again. Tony was thrilled at the thought of becoming a painter.It is worth doing to capture all the beautiful things and keep them on the drawing board forever.He wanted to study painting in Paris, but he also knew that he had to ask his mother carefully. ※※※ They had a lot of fun when they were together.Kate is the hostess of a large estate.She bought homes in Palm Beach and South Carolina—and in Kentucky, a stud farm.She and Tony visited these places during the holidays.They watched the America's Cup in Newport.In New York they had lunch at Delmonico's; tea at the Plaza; and Sunday dinner at Lusau.Kate is very interested in horse racing, and her stud farm has become one of the best in the world.When her horse raced, if Tony came home from school, Kate would take him to the arena, they sat in the box, and Tony shouted hoarsely when she saw her mother cheering, feeling very puzzled , he knew that her excitement had nothing to do with money. "It won, Tony. Remember that. Winning is all that matters." They enjoy the peace and security in Dark Harbor.They shopped at Pendleton and Coffin malls and drank ice cream pops at the Duck Harbor store.In summer, they sail, hike or visit art exhibitions.Go skiing, ice skating or sledding in winter.They also used to sit and warm themselves in front of the big fireplace in the library.Kate tells her son about the old family's past.Like the story of his grandfather and Banda, the story of Lady Agnes and her girls giving Tony's grandmother a shower, and so on.This is a colorful family, one to be proud and cherished. "Kruger-Brent will be yours one day, Tony, and you'll run it and—" "I don't—don't want to—manage it, mother, I'm not interested in big business or power." Kate lost her temper. "You big fool! Do you know what big business or power is? Do you think I'm traveling all over the world to sow evil? To hurt people? Do you think Kruger-Brent is some kind of Cruel money machine that wants to crush every obstacle? Well, let me tell you, boy. The corporation is the greatest good man next to Jesus Christ. We are the resurrected saviors, Tony. We saved the Hundreds of thousands of lives. When we open a factory in a depressed area or country, the people there have the money to build schools and libraries, build churches, and provide decent food, clothing, and entertainment for their children Facilities." She gasped, raging, "We built factories where people were starving and unemployed. Thanks to us, those people were able to live a decent life and hold their heads up. We were their saviors. Don't ever let me hear you mocking big business and power." In this case, all Tony can say is, "Yes-y-sorry, ma-ma-ma." But he still stubbornly thought: I want to be a painter. ※※※ When Tony was fifteen, Kate suggested he go to South Africa for the summer.He's never been there yet. "I can't do without now, Tony, but you'll find it a charming place. I'll take care of everything for you." "I'm--kinda--wanted to go to Duck Harbor for a holiday, ma-ma." "Next summer." Kate said firmly. "This summer, I want you to go to Johannesburg." Kate explained carefully to the person in charge of Johannesburg, and together they worked out a travel itinerary and itinerary for Tony.The daily arrangement revolves around one purpose: to do everything possible to make Tony feel that this trip is unforgettable, and to make him understand that his future is closely related to the company. Kate receives daily reports about her son.He was taken to a gold mine for a tour.I visited the diamond mine for two full days.He was also shown around some of the Kruger-Brent factories.In addition, a safari trip was made to Kenya. A few days before Tony's holiday ended, Kate called the company manager in Johannesburg. "How is Tony?" "Oh, he's very jolly, Mrs. Blackwell. To tell you the truth, he asked me this morning if he could stay a few more days." Kate felt happy for a while, "That's great, thank you." After Tony finished his vacation, he first came to Southampton, England, and then flew back to the United States on a Pan Am flight.Kate always flew Pan Am whenever she could, and they gave her a lot of perks, so she couldn't get used to other airlines. In order to pick her son back, Kate withdrew from a very important meeting.Landing at New York's new LaGuardia Airport, his handsome face beamed with energy and life as he emerged from the Pan Am terminal. "Have a good time, dear." "South Africa is a god-magic country, ma-ma. They took me on--fly to the Namib desert, where grandpa stole the diamonds from great-grandfather van der Merwe. You know that?" "He didn't steal, Tony," Kate corrected him. "He just took what was his." "Of course it is," Tony sneered. "Anyway, I've been to—there. I didn't see the sea fog, but they still—still have guards, wolfhounds, and so on." He Laughing, "They didn't give me any kind—samples." Kate smiled happily, "There's no need for them to give you any samples, honey, they'll all be yours one day." "Then you--tell them, they won't--listen to me." She hugged him, "You've had a good time, haven't you?" She was overjoyed, and Tony was finally excited about what he was about to inherit. "You know what I--like most?" Kate smiled lovingly, "What?" "Colour, I've been there-painted-painted a lot of landscapes. I don't want to leave, I want to paint-paint there." "Drawing?" Kate tried to sound as enthusiastic as possible. "That's a good hobby, Tony." "No, I don't mean--hobby, mother. I'm going to be a paint-painter. I've thought a lot about it, and I'm going to Paris to study. I really think I might have some talent." Kate's expression became tense, "You don't want to spend your whole life painting, do you?" "Yes, that's what I'm going to do, ma-mum, it's the only thing I like-love." Kate knew she had failed. ※※※ "He has a right to live his own life," Kate thought, "but how could I let him make such a terrible mistake?" In September, when neither of them had to make a decision for a while, war broke out in Europe. "I want you to study at Wharton School of Finance and Business." Kate told Tony, "In two years, if you still want to be a painter, you will be blessed by me." Kate was very sure that by then Tony would It will definitely change.She couldn't imagine that her son would choose to spend his life smearing paint on canvas when he could have been leading one of the most amazing conglomerates in the world.After all, he was her son. For Kate Blackwell, World War II was certainly a great opportunity.There is a shortage of arms and supplies all over the world, but Kruger-Brent can provide them with these items.公司有一个部门专门为军队提供装备，另一个部门负责为民用服务。公司的工厂二十四小时昼夜不停地生产着。 凯特肯定美国是不会袖手旁观的。罗斯福总统号召全国要做民主世界的大武库。1941年3月11日，“租借法”在国会最后获得通过。同盟国横渡大西洋的运输船队遭到了德国人封锁海面的威胁。德国潜水艇八艘为一组，击沉了几十艘同盟国船只。 德国当时成了不可一世的霸主，似乎无人能制止它的扩张。阿道夫·希特勒践踏了凡尔赛条约，建立起历史上最大的战争机器。德国人用闪电战攻占了波兰、比利时和荷兰。紧接着德国军队又粉碎了丹麦、挪威、卢森堡和法国的防线。 凯特得到消息说，克鲁格－布伦特公司的工厂被纳粹没收了，工人中的犹太人被逮捕，遣送到集中营里。于是她决定采取行动。她先打了两次电话。一个礼拜之后她又到了瑞士。抵达苏黎世酒店后，她收到一张条子，上面写道：布林克曼上校想要见她。布林克曼曾是克鲁格－布伦特公司柏林分公司的经理。当工厂被纳粹政府接管后，布林克曼被授予上校军衔，负责工厂的事务。 他来到饭店会见凯特。他是个瘦削、精明的人，金黄色头发仔细地梳在那谢顶的脑瓜上。“我很高兴见到你，布莱克韦尔太太。我来向你传递我的政府的一个信息。我被授权向你保证，一旦战争结束，你的工厂依然会归还给你。德国将成为世界上最强大的工业强国。我们欢迎像你这样的人同我们合作。” “要是德国人打败了怎么办？” 布林克曼上校嘴唇上露出了一丝微笑。“你我都很清楚，那是不可能的，布莱克韦尔太太。美国明智得很，没有插足欧洲的事务，我希望它能继续这样做。” “我可以肯定，你确是希望如此，上校。”她向前靠了靠，“我听到有谣传说，犹太人被送进集中营里处死，是真的吗？” “我可以向你保证，那完全是英国人的宣传。是的，犹太人被送到劳动营里去了，但我以一名军官的身份保证，他们受到了应有的对待。” 凯特不知道这些话究竟意味着什么。她准备弄个水落石出。 ※※※ 第二天，觊特约见了一位有名望的德国商人，名叫赫尔·比勒。他五十开外，外貌非凡，面容慈悲，目光似乎深阅人间苦难。他们在班霍夫附近一家小咖啡馆里见了面。赫尔·比勒先生选中了一个无人的角落里的一张桌子。 “我听说，”凯特温柔地说道，“你开始搞地下活动，把那些犹太人偷运到中立国去，是真的吗？” “不是这样的，布莱克韦尔太太。这样一种行动是对第三帝国的背叛。” “我还听说，你缺乏资金来进行这些活动。” 比勒先生耸了耸肩膀，“既然没有地下活动，我也就不需要钱，不是吗？” 他的双眼紧张地环顾着整个咖啡馆。这个人每天连喘口气、睡个觉时都生活在危险之中。 “我希望能助你一臂之力。”凯特小心翼翼地说，“克鲁格－布伦特有限公司在许多中立国和盟国都有工厂。要是有人能将难民送到那儿，我将为他们安排就业。” 赫尔·比勒先生坐在那儿，呷着苦咖啡。最后他说道：“我对这些都一无所知，现在搞政治活动是很危险的。但如你有意要帮助苦难的人，我在英国倒是有个叔叔，他得了一种可怕的消耗性疾病，医药费非常昂贵。” “有多贵？” “每个月五万美元。为了支付他的医疗费用，要设法先将钱存在伦敦，然后再将钱转到一家瑞士银行里去。” “我可以作出安排。” “我的叔叔将会很高兴的。” 大约两个月后，小批的犹太难民开始不断地抵达盟国境内。他们在克鲁格－布伦特公司的工厂里找到了工作。 ※※※ 两年后，托尼退了学。他去凯特的办公室，把这个消息告诉她。“我作——作出了努力，妈——妈——妈。真——真的。可我还是决——决定要学——学习绘——绘画。战——战争结束后，我要去——去巴——巴黎。” 这字字句句就像千斤铁锤敲打着她的心。 “我知——知道，你会失——失望的。但我要过——过我自己的生活，我想我会出色的——真的出色。”他望了望凯特的脸色，“我已经做了你让我做的事情。现在你应当给——给我这个机会。芝加哥艺术学院已经录取我入学了。” 凯特的脑子里翻腾着，托尼想要从事的工作竟会是这样无用的事。她所能说的话只是：“你打算什么时候动身？” “15号开始注册。” "What's the date today?" “12月6——6号。” ※※※ 1941年12月7日，星期日，日本帝国海军的中岛式轰炸机和零式战斗机偷袭了珍珠港。第二天，美国参战了。当天下午，托尼被征入美国海军陆战队。他被送到弗吉尼亚州匡堤科军官学校受训，毕业后被派往南太平洋。 凯特感到她是生活在一个深渊的边缘。她每天被那些公司里的事务压得抽不出身。然而，每时每刻脑子深处都有一种恐惧感，生怕会收到关于托尼的可怕消息——他受了伤或者战死了。 对日战争进行得很不顺利，日本轰炸机袭击了美国在关岛、中途岛和威克岛上的空军基地。1942年2月又占领了新加坡，接着又很快占领了新不列颠岛、新爱尔兰岛、阿德曼拉尔蒂群岛和所罗门群岛。麦克阿瑟将军被迫从菲律宾撤退。轴心国强大的武装部队正在慢慢地征服全世界，阴影笼罩着世界各地。凯特担心托尼会成为战俘，受到折磨。尽管她有权，有影响，但她除了祷告之外也无能为力。托尼写来的每封信都是一支希望的火炬，说明几个星期之前他还活着。“他们什么都不告诉我们。”托尼写道，“俄国人还在坚持吗？日本兵是很残忍的，但你不得不敬佩他们。他们不怕死……” “美国的情况怎么样？工人们真的在为提高工资而罢工吗？……” “鱼雷快艇在这里很起作用，那些小伙子个个是英雄……” “你的门路很广，妈妈，给我们送几百架F4U型新海军战斗机来，想念你……” ※※※ 1942年8月7日，盟国在太平洋首次反攻。美国海军陆战队在所罗门群岛中的瓜达尔卡纳尔岛登陆。此后他们就不断推进，夺回日本人占领的岛屿。 在欧洲，盟国的军队取得了几乎一连串的胜利。1944年6月6日，随着美国、英国和加拿大的部队在诺曼底联合登陆成功，盟国开始了对西欧的战役。一年之后，1945年5月7日，德国人无条件投降了。 1945年8月6日，一颗威力超过二万吨TNT炸药的原子弹，投到了日本广岛。三天之后，又一颗原子弹摧毁了另一个城市长崎。8月14日，日本人投降了，长期血腥的战争最后总算结束了。 ※※※ 三个月之后，托尼返回家园。他和凯特一起来到达克港，坐在平台上，眺望海湾里的点点白帆。 战争改变了他，凯特心里想道，托尼显得成熟多了。他留了一撇小胡子，肤色黝黑，体态健壮，看上去十分英俊。眼睛周围也出现了一些以前没有的皱纹。凯特心里十分肯定，这几年海外的生活给了他足够的时间来重新考虑他不来公司工作的决定。 “你现在的计划是什么，儿子？”凯特问道。 托尼笑了笑，“还是我在被暴力打断以前说的那句话，母亲——我将去巴——巴黎。”