Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty

"My God!" Byron exclaimed. "It seems to be my father, who looks exactly like him." "Where?" Natalie said.Her departure was delayed, and the two of them were drinking coffee at a table outside the small café at Rome Airport, where they had eaten before leaving for Warsaw. "In the circle of the police over there." He pointed to a group of people leaving the terminal under the escort of six respectful police officers.Some of them wore the green uniforms of the Foreign Office, the rest wore plain clothes.A military-looking, short, broad-shouldered man, dressed in black and white spots and a fedora, caught Byron's attention.He stood and said, "Could it be him? But why didn't he write me a letter or telegraph that he was coming to Italy? I'll go and see."

"Brani!" He was about to run when he stopped suddenly. "What's up?" "If it's your father, I'm dirty and messed up after taking the train for so long, and your father must be very busy." Natalie, who was always very conceited, suddenly became nervous and flustered, almost pleadingly. "It was totally unexpected. I'll see him next time." "Let me see if it's him first." Victor Henry followed everyone to the exit when he suddenly heard someone shouting behind him. "Dad! Daddy! Wait!" Pug heard the sound, turned and waved, and asked the guards from the Ministry to wait for him. "ddaccordo."①

①Italian: OK. The Italian smiled, bowed, and cast a wary glance at the young man running towards him. "I'll take care of your luggage, Lieutenant Colonel, and wait for you outside. There's plenty of time." Father and son shook hands. "How is it?" Victor Henry looked at Byron's face affectionately, and he always buried this emotion unless there was a particularly unexpected situation. "What's the matter, Dad? Can't you tell me you're coming?" "It happened suddenly. I was going to call you this evening. What are you doing in Rome?"

"Natalie is coming home. Her father is ill." "Really? Has she gone?" "No. There she is, just sitting over there." "Is that the famous Natalie Jastrow? The one in gray?" "No, a little farther, in black. A big hat." Victor Henry found his son's voice to be masterful. He was no longer listless and indifferent as he was in Berlin, but his eyes showed confidence, and his back was straighter. "You look really bright-eyed and lively," said Pug. "I'm in great spirits." "I'll go and see that girl." The father moved suddenly in her direction, so fast that Byron took a step or two to keep up.No one stopped them along the way. They came to Natalie in one breath. She put her hands together on her knees and sat there.

"Natalie, this is Dad." Through such a straightforward introduction, these two men, opposite poles of Byron's life, meet suddenly.Natalie held out her hand to Byron's father, and looked him in the eyes, waiting for him to speak first.Victor Henry liked this tired, travel-stained girl with a pair of black eyes and a thin face very much at first sight.She was not the adventurous Jew of the fables he had imagined; her face was exactly like that of an ordinary American; but there was something exotic about her, a strong, quiet womanliness. .He felt that she must be very embarrassed, but she did not show it.She even showed some affection for Byron when he took her hand and she smiled."I'm sorry to hear that your father is ill," he said.

She nodded her thanks. "I don't know how bad it is. But they told me to go back, and I did." Her voice was sweet, but like her gaze, it was firm. "Are you back yet?" "I don't know yet. Because Dr. Jastrow may be going back to America too." "It's better to persuade him to go back, the sooner the better." Pug studied her keenly, and she did not avoid his gaze.When the two of them couldn't find anything more to say for a while, it turned into an eye contact.Natalie then smiled brightly and mischievously, as if to say: "Well, you are his father, and I don't blame you for wanting to read something. What do you think?"

This embarrassed Victor Henry.He has never lost a head-to-head contest like this.However, this time he turned his eyes to Byron who was watching the battle with great interest. Natalie recovered his calm so quickly, which surprised Byron. "Okay, Braney," he almost shouted, "I've got to go before keeping the Foreign Office guy waiting." "Yes, Dad." Natalie said, "Byron told me you were very close to the Tudsbury family in Berlin, Lieutenant Colonel. I know Pamela." "Really?" Pug smiled.She did try to find something to talk about so that he could relax.He likes her that way.

"Yeah, she and I used to go out with two guys who shared the same room in Paris. She was lovely." "I think, too, that she was very kind to her father. But it's a terrible thing to drive." "Oh, have you noticed? I once drove with her from Paris to Chartres, and almost walked back. She really frightened me." "I don't believe it's so easy to scare you." Pug held out his hand. "I'm glad to see you, even in this chance encounter, Natalie." He muttered again awkwardly. "That explains a lot of things. Good voyage. Flying all the time?"

"I've got an express flight from Lisbon on Thursday. I hope nothing happens." "No. It's settled for now. But you'd better get out of this place. Goodbye." "Goodbye, Lieutenant Colonel Henry." Victor Henry left immediately, and Byron hurriedly followed him. "Brani, how about you now? Are you going to stay in Siena?" "Temporarily intend to stay." "Did you hear that Warren is engaged?" "Uh, are you sure?" "Yes. They set the date on May 20th, after he finished his flight training. I hope you can come back by then. You will never have the chance to attend the brothers' wedding. I will also find a way to ask for leave to go back once."

"I'll try my best. How's Mommy?" "Bad appetite. Berlin broke her." "I thought she liked Berlin." "It's getting less and less likable." They stopped before the glass doors of the air terminal. "How long do you intend to stay in Rome?" "If I can see you, Dad, then I'll wait for you." "Very well then. You'll get in touch with Colonel Kirkwood at the embassy. He's the naval attache. Maybe we can have dinner tonight." "That's great." "A wonderful girl." Byron smiled vaguely. "Can't you really say something about your impressions?"

"You never told me she was so pretty." "What? I don't really think she's pretty. Definitely not. You know I'm in for her, but..." "Her watery eyes drive you away. She is beautiful. Anyway, what I wrote about her to you a long time ago still stands. I feel even more so now that I have seen her. She A mature woman." He put his hand on Byron's shoulder for a moment. "do not be angry." "I love her." "We're not here to decide that. You go back to her, she's been sitting there all alone. Call Colonel Kirkwood tonight." "Ok." When he returned to Natalie, Natalie looked nervous and looked at him inquiringly.He sat down in a chair next to her. "My god, it was so sudden. I still can't believe it. It happened so unexpectedly. He looks tired." "Do you know why he came here?" Byron shook his head slowly. She said: "He is not what I imagined at all. He doesn't look strict at all, but he is very kind. When he speaks, he is very timid." "He's obsessed with you." "Don't talk nonsense, Byron. Look at me. Sooty and unkempt." "He said your eyes." "I don't believe it. What did he say about my eyes?" "I won't tell you. I'm so sorry. I've never heard him say that before. How lucky. He likes you. Look, my brother is getting married." "Really? When?" "May. She's an MP's daughter. She's not afraid to marry a naval officer! Let's have a couple marry at the same time." "What's wrong with that? You'll be a bank manager without a doubt." They both laughed, but for a moment neither of them knew what to say when brought up to the unanswered question.Fortunately, the loudspeaker buzzed at this time, informing her that the plane was about to take off, and they were relieved.Byron, carrying her suitcase and the crushable presents to take home, squeezed her way among the hurriedly talking and weeping travelers and their relatives at the door.Natalie clutched her plane ticket, desperately trying to figure out what the uniformed staff were shouting.He wanted to kiss her, but couldn't. "I love you, Natalie," he said. She put her arm around him in the crowd of travelers, and said over the uproar: "I think I'd better go back. I saw your father again just now! It's all very well. Does he really like me? Really?" "I'm telling you, you surprised him, why not?" The crowd began to rush in the door. "How can I get so many things? You can help me, my dear." "You promise me to wire me if you decide not to come back," Byron said, stuffing packages into her arms and under her arms. "When I get the telegram, I'll take the next flight home." "Okay, I'll be sure to send you a telegram." "Promise me that you will not make any other decisions and take no drastic actions until we meet." "Oh, Byron, what a boy you are. Talking nonsense like that. Do you know how much I love you?" "promise me!" Her black eyes were wide open and filled with hot tears, her arms and hands were full of things, and she held a yellow-green plane ticket between her fingers.She shrugged and said with a smile, "Oh, hell. Promise you, but, you know, Lenin said that promises are often shaky things. Goodbye, dear, my love. Goodbye, Byron." She raised her voice as the passengers pushed her away. Lieutenant Colonel Henry slept carelessly in the hotel for two hours, then put on his freshly pressed uniform and a pair of leather shoes that shone like sunglasses, and walked to the embassy.Few people sat in the rows of tables and chairs in the December cold along the Via Veneto under an overcast sky.Due to the lack of gasoline, there is almost no traffic on the wide road.Like Berlin, the dictatorial capital took on a bleak, bleak look during the war. Colonel Kirkwood was away all day.His clerk handed Pug a long, bulging envelope.As soon as he opened it, two things fell to the table with a clatter. They were two silver eagles with pins, the collar badge of the colonel's rank. Colonel William Kirkwood greets Colonel Victor Henry and looks forward to dinner at the Big Bear at 9:00 tonight.Also, the military uniform you are wearing is not suitable, please wear the four-bar epaulets. Pinned together with the note is a gold ribbon and a letter from the U.S. Naval Intelligence Department, which lists a list of newly promoted colonels, and Victor Henry's name is drawn in a deep red circle with a red pen , also draw water wave lines. The clerk had a bright, freckled American face with a perpetual grin. "Congratulations, Colonel." "Thank you. Did my son call?" "Here we go, sir. He's coming to dinner. It's all arranged. I just made coffee. Would you like to have a drink in the colonel's office?" "That's great." Pug sat in the attache's swivel chair, drinking cup after cup of the Navy's strong coffee, which was particularly delicious after months of drinking substitutes in Germany.He placed the eagle, the US Naval Intelligence list, and the golden ribbon on the table in front of him.When he turned the swivel chair leisurely and looked at these signs of his promotion, his pale scarred face looked calm and bored.However, he was still a little excited, proud, and most importantly, he was relieved at last. He's long been concerned that a first-round pick will let him go.The captains of battleships and cruisers, the commanders of submarine and destroyer fleets, and the people in the Naval Bureau and Ordnance Bureau can easily squeeze out a military attache.Early promotion to colonel is a prerequisite for jumping into the ranks of general officers.A small number of officers are required to have the rank of colonel before being promoted to the rank of general.This earlier promotion, this small, immutable, tangible entry in his résumé, was the reward of twenty-five years of hard work.It was his first promotion in a decade, and it was a decisive one. He desperately wanted to share the comforting news right away with his never-quiet wife.Perhaps, he thought, when he got back to Berlin, they could throw a feast for embassy staff, journalists, and military attaches from friendly countries, and thus lighten the heavy gloom in the Jewish quarters in the Greenwood. He suddenly thought of Natalie Jastrow again, and even put aside the promotion.Ever since he met her by chance, he has never forgotten her.In the few minutes they met, he felt that there was already a deep relationship between his son and this girl, which might not be broken.But how is this possible?A young woman like Natalie Jastrow would marry a middle-aged man of his own age, and would never just grab an elephant Lun such a hairy boy.With Natalie's ingenuity, of course it is most suitable to choose a person like Leslie Sloter.Natalie is more mature and cultivated than Janice, who is going to marry Byron's brother.The marriage was therefore inappropriate, and he doubted her sanity, her steadfastness.But it was the Jewish question that weighed him down the most.Victor Henry knew he was rigid.His living circle was very narrow and he had little contact with Jews.He was also a very rigid, practical guy, which made him feel very difficult.He is convinced that if there is such a mother, his future half-Jewish grandchildren will be beautiful and intelligent.But then it occurred to him that his son would never be able to cope with the various troubles that would be thrown at him in the future, and would never be able to.His calm and courageous personality in Warsaw is very suitable for playing sports or serving in the military.But in everyday life, it is of little use compared with ambition, industry, and a wealth of common sense. "Sir, Mr. Giannari is here." The secretary's voice came from the telephone. "Okay." Victor Henry put those things away and put them in his trouser pocket, feeling far less happy than when he thought of being promoted to colonel just now. The San Francisco banker had changed into a very elegant double-breasted gray suit with wide white stripes and a particularly large English lapel.His Rolls-Royce smelled strongly of perfume. "I'm sure you slept as well as I did," he said, lighting a long cigar.His demeanor was very laid-back, and the many little things about him, manicured nails, rings, shirt, tie, all spoke of neatness and affluence.At the same time, he seemed a little excited and excited. "I've spoken to the Foreign Office. Have you seen Count Ciano?" Pug shook his head. "I have been good friends with him for many years. He will definitely come for dinner today, and then he will take me to the Venice Palace from here. How are you? What can you tell me?" "While I was in Italy and Germany, I was your adjutant, sir, and I will obey you and do my best to serve you." "Do you understand Italian?" "It's not very good, to say the least. But the papers are readable if need be." "That's a pity." The banker calmly smoked his cigar with relish, lowering his eyes to assess Victor Henry. "However, the President said that if the heads of state of the two countries agree, it may be beneficial for you to attend both meetings. This will give you an extra pair of eyes and ears. Of course I can ask you to be my interpreter at Villa Kailin. My German Not much. I guess we'll have to play it by ear. This mission is unique and there's no protocol. Usually I'm supposed to be accompanied by our ambassador." "I'll go in with you swaggeringly. If they stop me, what do you think?" The banker closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then nodded and opened his eyes. "Ah, this is the forum of ancient Rome. Have you ever been to Rome before? We are now passing through the Gate of Constantine. There are many historical anecdotes here! I guess there must have been many messengers who came with the same mysterious mission. to Rome." Pug said, "Is this banquet at your house today?" "Well, no, I live in a very small flat over the Via Veneto. My uncle and two cousins, who are bankers here, treat me to dinner at their town house. We play by ear. If Ciano comes, I'll touch my collar like this, and you introduce yourself. Or do as you say." It turned out that these arrangements were superfluous, because Mussolini came to the banquet unexpectedly. Half an hour after the Americans arrived, there was a commotion at the door of the marble-columned hall, and the dictator entered in good spirits.Judging from the activity and commotion of the guests, no one expected his coming.Even Ciano, in his green, white, and glittering gold military uniform, was taken aback.Mussolini was small, shorter than Pug, and wore a ruched tweed jacket, sweatshirt, black trousers, and brown and white riding boots.Pug sensed at once that perhaps Mussolini had done it on purpose for the Germans, and he expressed special contempt for Roosevelt's unofficial emissary.Mussolini walked to the dining table, ate fruit, drank tea, and happily chatted with the people around him.He was walking in the hall with a cup of tea, talking to people.He glanced at Luigi Giannari once as he passed Pug, but ignored the two Americans.At the banquet, Mussolini was very different from the fierce-eyed, jutting-jawed imperial dictator.There was an Italian gentleness in his bulging eyes, and he laughed hard, but with irony and vulgarity.Victor Henry felt that this shrewd little man was very satisfied with his position after he came to power. His militant character was a comedy, completely different from the bloodthirsty Hitler. While Pug was chatting clumsily with the banker's aunt, a bejeweled, painted, haughty, peppermint-smelling, almost deaf old woman, Mussolini left the hall.Pug saw the banker waving to him, and then walked away with Ciano, who immediately excused himself and followed him.The three of them passed through two carved doors into a tall, ornate study, with rows of books bound in gilded brown, red, and blue leather.The tall windows overlooked the whole city.Unlike Berlin under the blackout, there are lights everywhere, dotted with stars, and it is a brilliant scene.Mussolini gestured majestically for them to sit down.The banker sat down on the sofa next to him, and Ciano and Victor Henry sat in the armchairs opposite them.Mussolini gave Henry a cold look, then turned his gaze to Giannari. The look in his eyes instantly changed Pug's initial impression of the Italian chief.Pug was deeply bewildered and felt that Mussolini was suspicious of him.He felt exactly like a young and ignorant ensign who ventured into the restricted area of ​​the flagship.However, Ciano never gave him such a feeling. The son-in-law was well dressed and was carefully waiting for the powerful elder to speak.Pug was so close to Mussolini that he could see his snow-white hair, his deeply lined face showed a very resolute character, and his vibrant eyes seemed a little dark at the moment.Pug concluded that this man would order bloodshed whenever necessary.He was a true ruler of Italy. The banker hurriedly explained in clear, standard Italian that his friend Franklin Roosevelt had sent the naval attache in Berlin as his adjutant during his short stay in Europe and as an interpreter when he met Hitler.Pug could barely follow him.He also said that Henry fully obeyed the leader's instructions at the moment and could stay or withdraw.Mussolini glanced at the military attache again, this time apparently treating him as Roosevelt's appointee, with a little more enthusiasm. "Do you speak Italian?" he said to Henry in perfect English, out of the blue, almost like a statue speaking suddenly. "Your Excellency, I can only understand a little, but I can't speak. Besides, I have nothing to say." Pug saw Mussolini smile as he had smiled with those in the hall. "Maybe we can speak English when we talk about the Navy." He then looked at the banker, waiting for him to speak. "Bene, luigi?"① ①Italian: How are you, Luigi? The banker talked for about a quarter of an hour.Since Pug already knew the general content in advance, he understood everything the banker said.After exchanging a few pleasantries, Giannari said that he is not a diplomat, and he has neither the right nor the ability to discuss state affairs.He was here this time to ask the leader an informal question on behalf of the president.Mr. Roosevelt sent a personal representative with an ordinary status who had a personal relationship with Mussolini, mainly in case Mussolini refused, so as not to affect the normal relations between the United States and Italy. The president was very worried about the turbulent situation in Europe.If a full-scale war breaks out in spring, the unimaginable horror of war will sweep the world.Although it is too late now, can we still think of something?President Roosevelt had always wanted to send a high-ranking American diplomat, say someone like Sumner Wells (Ciano looked up at the mention of the name and tapped his fingers on the table), Visited the heads of warring countries in late January and called for a peaceful solution to European problems.Mussolini himself made such a visit on August 31, calling for peace to no avail until the end.But if he can now work with the President to make peace, he will go down in history as the savior of mankind. Mussolini pondered for a moment, his face was heavy, his shoulders drooped, his eyes averted, and he touched his collar with his hands.Only then did he speak, and Pug took him to mean that Italy's foreign policy was based on an unshakable alliance with Germany.Any attempt to conspire against this alliance is doomed to failure.There is always the possibility of a peaceful solution to European problems.He himself welcomed the suggestion more than anyone.Mr. Roosevelt admitted that he himself kept the peace until the end.However, Hitler had made a very reasonable peace proposal in October, but it was rejected by the Allies.The US government has taken an openly hostile attitude towards Germany and Italy in recent years.Italy has its own problems to address.Mussolini said that these were not matters within Luge's purview, and he was only mentioning them in passing now, expressing a very pessimistic view of Sumner Wells' mission. "You just asked me a question," he said at last. "Now, Luigi, I have a question for you." "Please, sir." "Was this peace initiative the President's own initiative, or was it at the behest of allies?" "Your Excellency, the President told me that it was his own." Ciano cleared his throat, clasped his hands, leaned forward and said, "Do the UK and France know that you are making this visit? Do they agree?" "I don't know, sir. The President said that he would be conducting informal trials of the same nature in London and Paris at the same time." Mussolini said: "There is nothing about it in the papers, is there?" "As far as I know, Your Excellency, besides those of us here, only the President and his Secretary of State know about it. I am traveling privately and will not be of interest to the press, so it will always remain a secret." "I have said what I have in mind," said Mussolini in a gravely serious tone. "Given the fact that the Anglo-French ruling groups are wildly hostile to a re-emerging Germany and its great Führer, I think that this mission has little chance of success. However, I can well appreciate the painstaking efforts of your president." He said. There was a long pause, and then with a vigorous nod, he said, "If your president sends Sumner Wells on this mission, I can receive him." Giannari's flat smile faded to a genuinely happy and smug smile.He rattled off how wise and great Mussolini had made this decision, and how delighted he was at the prospect of his two native countries, Italy and the United States, coming together to save the world from catastrophe.Mussolini nodded silently, as if appreciating the flood of flattery, though he waved the banker to calm down with a contemptuous wave of his hand. As soon as the banker stopped talking, Victor Henry interrupted and said, "Your Excellency, I would like to ask if you will allow Mr. Giannari to tell the Führer about this? Tell him that you have agreed to meet the leaders led by Sumner Wells. an official delegation of the When Victor Henry asked such a pointed question, Mussolini's eyes flared up, as a general sometimes does.He looked at Ciano."The Führer will know about this long before you have had a chance to tell him," the foreign minister said modestly in fluent English. "Fine," Henry said. Mussolini got up, took Gianari's elbow, and led him through the door leading to the balcony, onto which a blast of cold air entered the room. Ciano smoothed his thick black hair with his fair hands. "Lieutenant Colonel, what are your thoughts on the great victory of the German Navy in the South Atlantic?" "I haven't heard of it at all." "Really? It will be broadcast on Radio Rome at seven o'clock tonight. The battleship 'Count Spee' intercepted a convoy of British battlecruisers and destroyers at Montevideo. The British lost four or five battleships and the rest were all damaged. .This colossal British loss has completely changed the balance of military power in the Atlantic." Victor Henry was shocked, but somewhat skeptical. "How's the 'Earl Spee'?" "Slightly injured, it can be repaired overnight. The 'Earl of Spee' encountered a heavy warship that no enemy ship could match." "Has the British side admitted it?" Count Ciano smiled.He was a very handsome young man, evidently he knew it himself, only slightly fatter and a little haughty.Pug thought this was probably the result of pampering. "No, but it took a while for Britain to admit the sinking of the 'Emperor Oak'." The dinner in honor of Victor Henry's promotion began in a somber mood with the news of the Earl of Spee.The two military officers chatted over whiskey and soda while they waited for Byron to arrive. Colonel Kirkwood said he believed the news; he thought that in the twenty years since the First World War Britain had been rotten.Kirkwood himself looked like an Englishman—long jaw, good color, big die—but he was of little use to the British Empire.He said that British politicians adopted a policy of delay and retreat in the face of Hitler's rise, and they believed that the British people were unwilling to continue fighting.The British Navy is strong outside the middle.Britain and France would fall under Hitler's violent spring offensive. "I think it's too bad," Kirkwood said. "Of course public opinion was on the side of the Allies, and the world moved on. After all, Hitler stopped Communism on the spot. And don't worry, since he defeated the Allies, he will also defeat Stalin. Didn't the Russians do a very stupid thing in Finland The German army will take them down with ease. It is self-evident that we will deal with Hitler in the end. He is ready to risk everything." "Uh, Dad." Byron came to this luxurious old hotel in a sweatshirt and trousers, which was obviously out of place, because most people here were wearing evening gowns.Henry introduced him to the military attaché. "Where have you been? You are late." "I watched a movie and then went to the YMCA to take a nap." "Is that all you can do in Rome? Watch a movie? I wish I had a few hours to wander around the city." "Oh, look, I'm tired," Byron said, returning to his usual sluggishness.The waiter brought champagne and Kirkwood offered a toast to Colonel Victor Henry. "Hey, Dad! Four stripes! Really?" Byron suddenly cheered up and was overjoyed.He took one of his father's hands and held up a full glass of wine. "Great! I'm so glad I came to Rome for this. I know people don't talk about things like this, but I don't care. Daddy, that'll put you in the spotlight." ?” Colonel Kirkwood said, “He’s already in his prime. This upgrade is proof.” "Just one mistake now," said Pug primly, shaking his head. "A misplaced paper, or a helmsman's confusion during the night's watch, and you'll be out of your way till retirement." "I say, what do you do, Byron?" said Kirkwood.The young man hesitated. "He's in ROTC," Pug said hastily. "I'm particularly interested in submarines. By the way, Braney, the New London Submarine School doubles its enrollment in May, and all reservists who pass the medical examination can enter the school." Kirkwood smiled, eyeing Byron with curiosity. "Now is the time for you to take your first steps. You should take the lead now, Byron. How are your eyes? Twenty-twenty vision?" "My eyes are fine, but I have a job here." "What job?" "Historical research." Kirkwood frowned.Pug said, "He works for a famous writer, Ellen Jastrow. The one who wrote Jesus of a Jew, have you heard of it?" "Oh, Jastrow, I know. Lives in Siena. I dined with him once at the embassy. Very sensible. Got into some trouble and can't get home. Is that the man?" said Byron. : "He's not in trouble, sir, he just doesn't want to leave." Kirkwood stroked his chin. "Are you sure? I seem to get the impression that he's living in Rome because he can't go back. There seems to be some blemish in his files. He was born in Russia, or Lithuania, or something, whatever. , I guess the problem can be solved anyway. He taught at Yale, didn't he?" "Yes, sir." "But as soon as he can go, he should. The Germans are crossing the Alps. Not to mention old Benito's anti-Semitic laws." ① Benito is the name of Mussolini. Victor Henry was going to accompany the banker on the train back to Berlin that night.He said nothing to Kirkwood and Byron about his mission in Rome, nor did they ask him.After dinner, Byron and his father took a taxi to the railway station, all the way in silence.Natalie Jastrow seemed an invisible presence in the car, but neither of them wanted to bring up the subject first.As the car pulled into the brightly lit, empty square in front of the airport, Pug said: "Brani, if Britain was really attacked in Montevideo, we wouldn't stay out of the war any longer. We can't let Germany blocks the Atlantic. It will be 1917 all over again. Why don't you apply to submarine school? It doesn't start until May at the earliest. If Jastrow wasn't so simple-minded, he would be in between I went back to America a while ago.” It’s still a long time until May. " "Well, I won't argue with you," said Pug, getting out of the car. "Write more letters to your mother, she is in a bad mood." "Okay, Dad." "Don't miss Warren's wedding." "I'll try not to miss it. Really, it would be a great deal if we were all together again." "That's why I want you to go back too. This will probably be our last reunion for God knows how many years. Goodbye." "Good-bye. I say, Daddy, I'm so glad you've been promoted to colonel." Pug smiled darkly at his son from the window of the car, and set off to catch the train.Neither of them said a word about the Jewish girl.