Chapter 52 Chapter 51

Russell.The broad gold admiral's bars gleamed on the cuffs of Carton's uniform.His small, overheated office in the West Wing of the White House has been painted several times, the latest clam gray.The young rear admiral was only two classes ahead of Pug at the Naval Academy.His chin-collar was more bulging and his body was thicker than when he had strode forward on the parade ground at Annapolis and shouted orders to his battalion.His straight body is still the same.He sits behind a metal desk behind which a portrait of the president's autograph hangs on the wall.He didn't get up when he shook hands, and what he said was some casual greetings, and he didn't mention Nimitz's request at all.Pug decided to take the liberty of testing it out. "General, has the Personnel Bureau notified you of a transfer order related to me from the Pacific Fleet Command?"

"Well, not bad." The answer was both cautious and reluctant. "So the President knows that Admiral Nimitz wants me to go to his staff?" "Henry, I advise you to stay for a while, and when it reaches you, you go in and listen, that's all," Caton said impatiently. "General Standley's still with the President. And Mr. Hopkins and General Leahy." He moved a basket of letters toward him. "I must send these letters before the bell rings to summon us." Pug had actually gotten the answer: the president didn't know yet.During the waiting period, Carton said nothing; Pug reconsidered his situation and calculated countermeasures.Since he gave Harry in Moscow.It's been more than a year since Hopkins wrote the report on his visit to the forward positions, and he still hasn't heard anything from it that says he's going to the President for evidence of the Jewish massacre in Minsk. I sent a letter, but no reply.He had long concluded that the letter had made him appear emotional and a meddler, and thus ended his relationship with the White House.He doesn't care about that.He never pursued, nor did he find much enjoyment in, the role of an insignificant presidential emissary.Apparently, veteran General Standley was behind the scenes to facilitate the White House summons.The strategy had to be very simple: reveal Nimitz's transfer order, neutralize Standley's role, get out of the presidential circle of power, stay outside, and get back to the Pacific.

The bell rang twice. "That's calling us," Carton said.The aisles and staircases of the White House seemed as still as ever—the calm in the eye of a hurricane.The secretaries and uniformed footmen walked with a slow pace, as in days of peace.The large desk in the Oval Office, littered with bric-a-brac and model ships, looked as if it hadn't been touched in nearly two years.But Franklin.Roosevelt had changed a lot: his gray hair was thinner, his eyes were cloudy with purple eye sockets, and he was completely startlingly old.Harry.With a sallow complexion, Hopkins collapsed in the armchair and beckoned to Pug feebly.The two well-groomed admirals, sitting upright on the couch, only glanced sideways at him.

Victor.Roosevelt's tired, broad-jawed face beamed with delight as Henry and Carton walked in. "Ah, Pug, old buddy!" The voice was rich and authoritative, and Eran's Harvard-born air was exactly the same as all the comedians on the radio had tired of imitating. "The Japs told you to swim in the sea, didn't they?" "I'm afraid so, Mr. President." "That's my favorite sport, you know, swimming," Roosevelt said, with a slightly mischievous smile. "It's good for my health. I like to choose when and where, though." Pug was bewildered for a moment, and then realized that the heavy-handed teasing was meant to be affectionate.Roosevelt raised his eyebrows, waiting for his answer.He grudgingly responded in the softest words he could think of: "I agree, Mr. President, that was a very untimely swim, but it was also very good for my own health."

"Ha, ha!" Roosevelt tilted his head and laughed heartily, and the others also laughed a few times. "That's a good point! Otherwise, you wouldn't be here, would you?" He seemed to be joking again when he said this, and the others laughed again.Russell.Carton backed out.The president's expressive face turned serious. "Pug, I am sorry for the loss of such a fine ship, and such gallant men. The Northampton did well, I know that. I am glad you got away safely. You Must know General Leahy"—Roosevelt's lanky, impassive chief of staff nodded stiffly at Pug, befitting his four golden bars and the sunken warship—"Of course , you know Bill Standley, too. He's been admiring you ever since you and Bill went to Moscow together."

"Hello, Henry," said General Standley.His skin is rough and shriveled, a large hearing aid is inserted in his ear, and a thin jaw that seems to have no lips protrudes from his loose and wrinkled muscles. He looks a bit like a turtle that has lost his temper. "You know, after General Standley went to Russia with Harriman's delegation that time, he became so fond of the Russians that I had to send him to Moscow as ambassador, lest he be disappointed! Although he This time it's just back home for the holidays, but he misses them so much that he's going back tomorrow. Right, Bill?"

"Exactly, President." There was unabashed sarcasm in the tone. "Do you like Russians, Pug?" "I'm very impressed with them, Mr. President." "Oh? That's what other people say sometimes. What impresses you most about them?" "They are numerous, sir, and they are not afraid of death." The four looked at each other.Harry.Hopkins said in a thin, hoarse voice, "Pug, I think the Germans in Stalingrad probably feel the same way you do at the moment." Standley glanced sullenly at Pug. "The Russians were numerous and fought bravely. No one would disagree with that. But they were also difficult. That's the fundamental problem, and there's a fundamental answer. It's standing firm and clear." Standley used A bony, bony finger waved toward the broadly smiling president. "Words are useless to them. It's like dealing with people from another planet. They only understand the language of action. Even the language of action, they may have a wrong understanding. I don't think they have understood it until now. Understand the Lend-Lease Act. Since they can get it, they want it again, and they get it again, just like children who go to a party and come across free ice cream and cakes."

The President threw back his head and replied, almost cheerfully, "Bill, did I tell you about my talks with Litvinov in 1933? I was negotiating with him about the recognition of the Soviet Union. Hey, I've never dealt with this kind of guy before. Gosh, I'm going crazy! I remember arguing about religious freedom for our diaspora in Russia. He's as cunning as a loach. I lost my temper a lot. But when he came back to see you again, I will never forget his calm demeanor. "He said, 'Mr. President, your people can't deal with ours after we just had a revolution. You're still 100 percent capitalist, and we're suddenly down to zero.'" Roosevelt spread out the meaty Hands, palms up, far apart. "'Since then we've come up here, about 20 percent, and you've come down to about 80 percent. In the years to come, I'm sure we'll close the gap to 60 percent versus 100 percent. 40/40."' The President put his hands together. "'We couldn't be closer,' he said, 'but at this distance we can get along very well.' Bill, I think Litvinov's words have come true in this war."

"I see it that way, too," Hopkins said. Standley exploded at Hopkins, "It's not that you people live there for a long time, entertaining you guests who just taste vodka, of course their manners and speech are very polite, which is very good. But every day and They talk about the meeting, that's another matter. Well, Mr. President, I know I should go. Let me say a few more general words and then leave." He made several straightforward demands: more Strict control of Lend-Lease supplies; promotion of his Counselor Military Attaché; embassy has direct control over visiting dignitaries.He also mentioned Wendell with intense revulsion.Wilkie, meanwhile, shot Hopkins angrily.Roosevelt nodded with a smile on his face and promised Standley to do everything.As the two admirals left, Standley patted Pug on the shoulder and gave him a wicked smile.

The president sighed and pressed a button. "Let's have lunch. You too, Pug?" "Sir, my wife just gave me a late breakfast of fresh fish." - really?School of fish!OK, I say this is the perfect catch-up!How is Rhoda?What an elegant and beautiful woman. " "She's fine, Mr. President. She wants you to remember her." "Oh, she's an unforgettable sight," said Franklin.Roosevelt took off his pince-nez, rubbed his purple-rimmed eyes, and said, "Pug, when I heard from the Secretary of the Navy about your son Warren, it made me very sad. A lad like him I never No. Can Rhoda take it?"

The old politician, who had a knack for remembering people's first names, was talking about his dead son so casually that Pug was momentarily bewildered. "She's fine, sir." "That was a great victory at Midway, Pug, and it's all due to brave boys like Warren. They saved our fight in the Pacific." The President changed his tone and look suddenly, from kindly sympathy. But to discuss business directly. "But, you see, we lost too many ships in the night battles off Guadalcanal, didn't we? What's the matter? Are the Japanese better at night battles than we are?" "No, sir!" Pug felt the question slap him.He was very happy to get rid of the subject of Warren, so he replied bluntly, "When they started the war, their training level was much higher than ours. They were prepared long ago, and they just waited for an order. Not so. Even so, we held them off. They have given up their plans to reinforce Guadalcanal. We shall soon be winning there. I admit that we must fight better in the night artillery. Well, we can definitely do that, too.” "I agree with everything you said." The president's eyes were stern and piercing. "However, for a while I was worried about the situation there, Pug. I thought we might have to pull out of Guadalcanal. Our people would feel bad if that happened. The Australians must Nimitz did a good job sending Halsey up there. Halsey's a tough guy/'President puts a cigarette in the mouthpiece.' He's got a few troops, but what It was so beautifully done that it saved the whole situation.Only one aircraft carrier in operation!I can't think of it!This predicament will not last for a long time, and our production will show its talents.A year's delay, Pug.However, as you said, they have been preparing for war for a long time, but I have not!Regardless of what some newspapers always imply.Ah, here we come. " A negro waiter in a white jacket pushed in a lunch cart.Roosevelt put the cigarette holder aside and let out a whine that surprised Pug. "Look at my lunch, please: three eggs, maybe four. Damn it, Pug, you'll have to share it with me. It's for two!" he ordered to the waiter. "Just drink your soup first, Harry, don't wait." The waiter looked flustered, pulled out a shelf from a corner of the desk, pulled a chair, and gave it to Victor.Henry served eggs, bread and coffee.Hopkins had a plate in his lap and was listlessly spooning soup from a bowl on the plate. "That's kind of presentable," Franklin said.As Roosevelt said, he couldn't wait to start eating. "Now you can say to your grandson, Pug, that you shared a President's lunch. Maybe my staff here will really understand from now on that I don't like extravagance and that it's a constant struggle. "Food and lukewarm eggs with no salt or pepper.Pug ate it, and although he was not hungry, he felt that this was indeed a historic exception. "You see, Pug," said Hopkins feebly, "we had a shortage of landing craft when we landed in North Africa. There was talk of a surprise production landing craft plan, and your name was mentioned. But now that the landing has been successful, the U-boats The problem of the ship has become more pressing, and escorting the destroyer is of course the number one task of the shipyard. But the problem of the landing craft still needs to be solved, so—” "It has to be done," the President said with a smack and put down his fork.Every time the attack on France is discussed, this vexing problem always comes up.I remember our conversation on the Augusta before meeting Churchill in August 41, Pug.You know your line of work very well.I am now in need of a man of character who can oversee the production of landing craft for the Navy with my full support.But as it happened, old Bill Steinfrey appeared on the way.He wants you to be his special military assistant. "Roosevelt glanced up from his coffee mug." Which of the two jobs do you prefer? " Victor.Henry had been confused for several weeks, and now he suddenly realized.They had hurried him back from the Pacific to build landing craft: an important but dull job with the Naval Bureau, and that was the end of his career.Standley's request further complicated matters.How could Nimitz's order be brought up at this moment?Really into the Bray waters! "Well, Mr. President, I'm a little flattered that I've been given the choice, and that it's you who made it." "Why, that's what I do most of the time, old chap," the President said with a smile. "I'm just sitting here, like a traffic cop, trying to get the right people to the right jobs." Roosevelt spoke with that flattering confidant manner, as if he and Victor.Henry has been a friend since he was a child, and it makes people happy to hear it.Despite the embarrassment, Pug still admired the president.The whole battle was at the hands of this aging, handicapped old man; besides, he had to run the country, fighting everything with a surly and stubborn Congress.Pug could see that, Harry.Hopkins was growing impatient by this point.Perhaps an important meeting is scheduled to take place in this office soon.But Roosevelt can still talk endlessly with an unknown little captain and make him feel that he has a heavy responsibility in this war.Pug did the same with the officers and men of his own ship; he made each sailor feel himself an integral part of the ship.It's just that the president's leadership style has been expanded to a superhuman level under unimaginable pressure. It's a difficult situation to deal with.Victor.With all his will, Henry remained silent under the gaze of those wise, weary eyes--two stars in the depths of the firmament, shining in the shadow of close friendship.He didn't have the guts to ask for Nimitz's transfer.That would be tantamount to dismantling Caton, and in a sense it would be tantamount to setting the president up against a wall.But at least the president should feel his embarrassment. Roosevelt broke the slightly tense situation. "Okay! No matter what, you should take a ten-day vacation first. Play happily with Rhoda for a few days. This is an order! Then contact Russell Carton, and I will arrange your work, either this or That. By the way, how about your son on the submarine?" "He's fine, sir." "Where's his wife? The girl who got into trouble in Italy?" The president's voice dropped suddenly, and his glance at Hopkins told Pug that he had stayed too long.He stood up hastily. "Thank you, Mr. President. She is well and I will report to General Cotton in ten days. Thank you for lunch, sir." Franklin.Roosevelt's dynamic face suddenly froze, and all the wrinkles seemed to be carved on stone carvings. "Your letter from Moscow about the Minsk Jews was taken seriously. I also read your sighting report to Harry from the front. You expected the Russians to hold up, and it turned out to be Yes. You and Harry are both right. Many of the experts here are wrong. You have eyes, Pug, and a knack for putting things together. The Jewish situation is dire. There is nothing I can do about it. That Hitler guy is a monster, that's for sure, and those Germans have become demons. The only way out is to smash Nazi Germany and punish those Germans so that they will never forget it .We're doing it." He said goodbye to Pug hurriedly.Pug felt cold in his heart and walked out. "If you take me for a reckless daredevil, it will make me sick," Rhoda said. "I'm just not willing to give up easily." Logs blazed in the fireplace in the sitting room, and on the coffee table were gin, vermouth, shakers, a jar of olives, a can of fresh caviar, slices of thinly sliced ​​bread, Two plates of minced onions mixed with eggs.She was wearing a pink nightgown, her hair was rolled up, and her face was lightly rouged. "It's beautiful, it's all beautiful," said Pug, a little embarrassed and excited at the same time. "By the way, the President sends you his regards." "Ah, really?" "Really, Ro. He says you're a beautiful lady, and you'll never forget it." Rhoda blushed up to her ears—she blushed rarely, and each time she blushed she was "for a moment" girlish. She said: "Oh, that's great. But what's the matter? What's the news?" ?". While sipping his wine, he deliberately explained the situation to her as briefly as possible.Rhoda only got the impression that the President was considering two errands for him and ordered him to take a ten-day leave. "Ten days! It's beautiful! Is there any errand that will keep you in Washington?" "There is one" "Then I wish you'd do that, we've had enough days apart. Too many." They ate a lot of caviar and finished their martinis, and Pug was in the mood, or so he thought he was.His movements were clumsy at first, but that passed quickly.Rhoda's body in his arms made him feel warm and seductive.They went upstairs into the bedroom, drew the curtains--but the afternoon sun still let in a lot, but it was much weaker--the two of them joked with each other and made some little jokes as they undressed, and then they went to her together. on the bed. Rhoda was unrestrained, just like in the past.But as soon as Victor.Henry saw his wife's naked body—the first time he had seen it in a year and a half, and it was still so beautiful that he was fascinated—and his mind suddenly realized that this body had already been possessed by another man.It wasn't that he hated Rhoda; on the contrary, he felt that he had forgiven her.At least now, he is more willing to write that off than at other times.It's just that every time she caresses him, every time she speaks lewd words, or makes a cooperative action, he can't help but see the scene of her treating that big engineer in the same way in his mind .This doesn't affect what's going on.In a way—only in the erotic sense—the fun seemed undiminished.But when it's over, I can't help but feel a little disgusted. But Rhoda didn't feel that way.She kept kissing him on the face, and said some incomprehensible words, obviously feeling happy and satisfied.After a while, she yawned and laughed like a wild animal, then curled up and fell asleep.The sunlight filtered through a slit in the curtains and cast a golden glow on one wall.Victor.Henry got out of bed and drew the curtains to block out the sun, then went back to his bed and lay there staring at the ceiling.An hour later, when she woke up smiling, he was still staring.