Chapter 96 Chapter 95

Pamela, my dear, do you remember that General of the Army Air Corps who drank a bottle of vodka and danced wildly at the gala party you hosted in Moscow for the ballet troupe?Now he's in LeMay's unit in the Marianas.Right now I am rushing to write this letter in his office.He was flying back to America tomorrow, and he could post the letter there.Otherwise, I might have to send you a telegram.I am going to meet you in Washington instead of San Diego, and I have a lot of business for you.Our naval attache in London, Colonel Williams, is the best at getting air tickets.Tell him you're my fiancée and he'll try to get you to Washington.

I heard that Rhoda's husband is willing to rent the apartment he vacated to me.This saves the lawyers from having to negotiate again.I don't care about monetary compensation, I only give my lawyer Charlie.Lyons wrote a letter and told him not to pester him any more.So, give Peters the house for what he's asking for, and now we can live in that Connecticut Avenue apartment.Charlie will settle the lease and let you move in; Peters is kind enough to redecorate the house to your liking. I believe that I will be able to resign soon.The Bureau of Personnel is stepping up the rotation of personnel at sea.It's like the last quarter of a sure-fire football game and the reserve players swarming the field to kick some kicks.I'm going to apply for a transfer to Washington so we can stay together.

Everything I can move is stored in Fox Hall Road.If Rhoda's temper is right, I believe she has boxed them up and put them aside.Move all these things into the apartment.There's no room for my books; Peters doesn't look like a book-lover.Just leave them in the box, I'm going to buy some bookcases. By the way, Pam, when you get to Washington, you go to Charlie.Lyons paid for it.Don't hold back, you can't blow your bucks in a place where Washington is as expensive as it is.Go shopping for all the clothes you need. "Dowry" may not be the right word, so call it what you like, your clothes matter.For many years, you have been in military uniform and travel attire.

Well, look I'm at it again.You used to reproach me for not always talking about money in my letters.I'm not very good at "love stuff" (that's what Warren and Byron used to describe those romantic scenes in cowboy movies when they were kids).I have to admit it.I did steal the love stuff from you, didn't I?That's because, Pam, when I read Keats, Shelley, or Heine's love poems, I get so deeply moved that my hairs stand on end, and yet I can't express them any more than I can put a Women are divided into two halves.I don't know that trick.When we've both taken off our clothes and slept under the covers, then we can talk for the last time about the unspeakable feelings of the American man. (what do you think?)

I am here waiting to eat.Li Mei invited me to a banquet.Because the "Iowa" is currently undergoing major repairs in the country, the "New Jersey" has become my flagship. Our ship has just anchored here to refuel.This Tinian Island, an old rock island off the south coast of Saipan, was a bombing airfield made in heaven.The airport is surprisingly large and is said to be the largest in the world. From here B-29 bombers took off and dropped their incendiary bombs on the Japanese. I am developing a feeling of hatred and reverence for the Japanese.I once commanded the mixed fleet that bombarded Iwo Jima.General Spruance was in charge that time, so he sent me some missions.I commanded battleships, heavy cruisers, and destroyers, and bombarded the island with artillery for many days.I don't believe there's a square yard that hasn't been destroyed by us.The aircraft on the aircraft carrier also went to bomb.By the time the landing craft approached the beach, the island was as dead as a tomb.But then, my God, the Japanese wouldn't be surprised if they didn't come out of the ground, and they killed and wounded twenty-five thousand of our marines.It was the bloodiest battle in all the Pacific.My ships kept beating them, and the planes from the carrier were out, but they wouldn't surrender.When Iwo Jima is taken, I don't believe there will be fifty Japanese alive on that island.

That's when their suicide pilots nearly terrified our task force.The morale of the fleet was greatly reduced.The sailors thought they had won the battle, but they didn't expect to be threatened like this at this time.Our papers are yelling at these kamikazes, calling them nuts, nuts, drug addicts, whatever.This is nonsense.These are the same papers that used to hype a man named Colin after Pearl Harbor.The myth of Kelly's Army Air Corps pilot, where he was flying his plane out of Luzon.The funnel of a battleship dives.Newspapers about Colin.Kelly's nonsense was once a sensation.In fact, there is no such thing at all.Kelly was shot down during a bombing mission.There are countless real Colin among the Japanese.Kelly.The kamikaze pilots may be stupid and deceived, and it is impossible for them to win this war, but the young people are so willing to die for their country, which naturally shows a kind of pathetic and heroic spirit. I mourn Admire the culture that cultivated people like them, and at the same time deplore this wasteful and useless tactic.

Spruance was still preaching the need to take Iwo Jima, but LeMay advocated an emergency landing field en route to Tokyo. B-29s were flying out in groups, and Fitzpatrick told me that after the attack on Iwo Jima, aircraft losses had been reduced and Air Force morale had been restored.Whether it was worth it or not, the blood was shed anyway. At the invitation of Fitz, I went ashore to watch the largest R29 bomber sortie and operation.Pamela, it was an indescribable spectacle: for hours on end, this giant aircraft roared out.My goodness, how many planes are being made in American factories, and what great pilots are being trained by the military!Fitzpatrick couldn't stop talking about the air raids.He said that this kind of air raid was going to wipe out the whole of Tokyo. There was a huge fire, and all the matchbox houses in those few square miles were going to burn down.He thinks they killed about half a million people.

Of course, these "wire-haired hounds" will exaggerate the chaos they caused, but I saw that dreadnought set sail firsthand.It must have set off another "firestorm" as in Hamburg and Dresden.I heard that such a large-scale incendiary bombing would suck the oxygen out of the air, and those people would be suffocated, if not burned to death.So far, the Japanese have not mentioned it, but sooner or later you will see many reports of this air raid. In this officer's mess room, I read some old newspapers and magazines describing the Dresden raid.The Germans made a fuss.This is wonderful.Because I have been to the Soviet Union, I can imagine how Dr. Goebbels cried for Dresden, but he was still indifferent.If the Russians had planes and pilots like ours, they would have bombed German cities like that every week until the end of the war.They would have done it in a good mood, but even then it did not half offset the material damage and civilian deaths the Germans inflicted on the Soviet Union.I believe that the Germans hanged more Russian children in retaliation, or because they suspected partisans, than all died in German air raids.God knows how much I pity Goebbels' propaganda photos of women and children whose corpses were burnt in piles, but no one told the Germans to listen to Hitler.Hitler was not a legal ruler.He's just a talker, but the Germans prefer to listen to him.They embraced him, they raised a storm of fire that took away all good nature from human society.Think of my noble child who sacrificed himself to fight back against this.This situation makes us all savages.Hitler took pride in barbarism, which he made a battle cry, and the Germans chanted "Victory!"They continue to be deceived, giving their lives for him, and the lives of their less fortunate relatives.Well, I hope they are happy with the lingering days of their Führer.

The Japanese seem to have a different attitude towards their punishment.They also fully deserve what happened to them now, but it seems that they understand this.God, let's hope all this brutal bestiality ends soon. Pamela, did you hear Roosevelt address Congress on the Yalta conference on the radio?I was horrified by that speech.His speech was vague, and he kept digressing, as if he were sick or drunk.He apologized for sitting and talking, and said "my legs are as heavy as iron".I had never heard him mention his paralysis before.Now, there was only one thing that would make the war go wrong, and that was for him to get sick, or lose his mind—well, here comes General Fitzpatrick.Going to eat.I didn't expect it to involve war and politics, but now there's no time for romance, is there?You know how much I love you.Ever since the battle of Midway, I thought my life was over.In a way, you can also see that I am indeed finished.In combat I'm nothing more than a walking dead.Now I'm alive again, or I'll be alive again when we embrace like husband and wife.See you in Washington!

Loveless, Pug, San Francisco, U.S. Army Post Office, Eighth Air Force Command, Army Air Corps, San Francisco, March 15, 1945 Happier than she could have imagined, yet very excited, Pamela Now I keep looking through the open window at the passing vans.In front of this old-fashioned apartment house, the magnolia tree is in full bloom, and its fragrance can be smelled even on the third floor.A gust of wind blows from time to time on the sunny street. Across the street, the star-spangled flag on the flagpole next to the daffodil flower bed on the school playground fluttered rustlingly, so the cherry blossoms in full bloom on that tree scattered their petals down beside the flag.It was Washington again in the spring; but how different this time!

She still felt that she was half asleep.Back in this beautiful, bustling city that has never been under war; among these well-fed, bustling Americans; shopping in dark shops full of beautiful clothes; eating in pubs Haven't seen in London for many years the dishes and fruit that had arrived; not having to wander around with her poor father; not having to worry about England collapsing; not having to suffer from guilt, sorrow, or melancholy; thinking only of being with Victor.Henry is married!Colonel Peters's apartment house, with its large rooms and masculine decor (except for a very garish pink and gold inner room, which only the kiln sisters liked), still gave her an air of indifference.It was too big and belonged to a complete stranger, with nothing in it connected to Pug.Today, however, all that is about to change. The van has arrived.Two men, sweating and yelling, brought in boxes, filing cabinets, packing boxes, suitcases, cardboard boxes—and there was more, and more.The sitting room was full.After Rhoda came, Pamela was relieved.Early on, she'd been terrified of cleaning out his stuff with Pug's ex-wife, which she found embarrassing.But now it seems that it is very smart to let Rhoda help deal with these messy things.Harrison.Mrs. Peters was as happy as a robin, in a sort of pale Easter dress, with a big silk hat and veil, all to match her gloves and shoes.She said it was going to a tea party for a church charity.She had brought a list of Pug's belongings, several sheets long, typewritten.Each box was numbered and its contents registered on a list. "Numbers seven, eight, and nine don't need to be opened, dear, they're full of books. No matter how you place them, he'll grumble. And, let me see, numbers three and nine Inside number four are winter clothes—suits, sweatshirts, coats, that sort of thing. They have moth balls in them. In September, you hang them out to dry and clean them up, and they Good to wear. For the time being, it's best to pile all these things in that empty room. Where's the room?" Pamela felt surprised, and suddenly asked, "Don't you know?" "I've never been here before. Please move some of these things for us, young man." Rhoda took charge, and ordered the two men to move some boxes and open others nailed and fastened.As soon as the two men were gone, she got out the key and opened the box; took out Pug's clothes with great vigor, and croaked about how he liked to wash his shirts, what dry-cleaning lotion he used, and so on.She spoke of Pug in the same way a mother might pack a grown son on a journey, and the kindness and tone with which he regarded him as her own disturbed Pamela deeply.When Rhoda hung up his clothes one by one, he would fondle them with his hands, and talk about where they were made, which ones he liked, and which ones he rarely wore. of.Twice she mentioned that his waist was still the same size as the day they were married.She carefully arranged his shoes in Peters's shoe closet. "You'll always have his shoe plugs plugged, honey. He wants his shoes to stay in shape. But would he take five seconds to plug the plugs? Never. He wouldn't do that." What's the matter. Once out of the Navy, you see, my dear, he's kind of like a college professor in a trance. You'll never think about Pug again. Henry's like that, isn't he?" "Rhoda, really, I'll do the rest. I'm very grateful—" "Oh? Well, then, there's box number fifteen. Let's clean it up. You see, as the saying goes, it's hard to cut fresh fish off the back. Some things, it's just me and Pat One of the two of us ends up not getting them. It can't be helped. Like photos, souvenirs, things like that. I've already picked them out. Among the things I left Well, Pug can take anything. I can take what he doesn't want. No one is fairer than me, right?" Rhoda smiled brightly at her. "Of course, it couldn't be fairer," said Pamela, and then she changed the subject. "See, there's one thing I don't quite understand. Never been here before, you mean?" "Never come." "Why don't you come?" "Well, my dear, before I married Huck, I never dreamed of coming to his bachelor's lair. It would be like Caesar's wife or something. Then, um—" Rhoda cocked his mouth, At this time, he suddenly looked more vulgar and old-fashioned, showing a disheartened look-"I decided never to ask him what he used to do here. Shall I describe it to you?" I remember a brief but uncomfortable meeting at the law firm - Pamela attended at the request of Pug's lawyer - to sign the contract for the exchange of houses and apartments, It was at that meeting that Rhoda volunteered to come and help her move—Rhoda also had such an expression once, and that time it was because Peters sneered back at her words casually. -, "No, I don't think so." "Okay. Let's go through box number fifteen, shall we? Look at this." Rhoda took out a photo album to show her, some of the photos were of children, some were of Henry’s old house, some were of picnics, dancing, banquets, and some were of the ships Pug served on. Rhoda was on it with him, standing next to the gun mounts in the sun.Some stood on the bridge, some walked on the deck, or were with the commander.There are also framed photographs of couples—young, not-so-young, and middle-aged, all looking so affectionate and happy; Pug in the photographs, often in that way, both expressing affection and feeling Looking at Rhoda amusedly, he appeared to be a considerate husband who knew his wife's weaknesses but still loved her.Pamela had never felt this way before: she was penetrating Victor.A young wife in Henry's later life, no matter whom Henry lived with or called his wife, but the center of his life always fell on this woman. "Like this one," Rhoda said, setting the leather-bound Warren's photo album on a box and flipping through the pages. "To tell you the truth, I'm having a hard time deciding on this one. Of course it never occurred to me to divide the pictures in two; maybe Pug would be upset. I don't know. I like this photobook. I Posted for him, but he didn't say a word about it." Rhoda glanced at Pamela with stern flashing eyes. "Sometimes you will find that he is elusive. Maybe you have discovered it?" She carefully closed the photo album. "Well, let's do it. If Pug wants it, he can have it." "Rhoda," Pamela felt it was difficult to say, "I don't think he will ask you to give up these things, and besides——" "Oh, there's more, there's more. I've got my share. How much I've collected in thirty years. You mustn't mention what I've given up, my dear. So, let's go now Look at Huck's lair, will you? I'm off to play when this is done. Have you got a decent kitchen?" "It's a very good kitchen, Shuai Mila said hurriedly." Go here. " "You must think it dirty." "Well, I do need to scrub it down a bit. Pamela smiled nervously." A bachelor, you see. " "It's a man, dear. But there are some differences between the Army and the Navy. I've discovered that." Pamela led Rhoda, trying to slip quietly through the pink and gold room with the closed door , but Rhoda opened the door and walked in. "Oh my God. It's a new brothel." "A little fancy, isn't it?" "It's disgusting. Why don't you take care of Huck and redecorate it?" "Oh, it's easier to just lock it up. I don't need it." The entire wall is covered with mirrors that can be pushed across. Behind the mirrors is a long line of closets.The two women stood side by side looking into the mirror and talking to each other's reflections: Rhoda in a spring dress, Pamela in a plain blouse and shift skirt.It looked like Pamela was Rhoda's daughter. I don't need it, maybe that's what Pamela said casually, maybe she really has such an idea.But Rhoda was speechless.They looked at each other in the mirror.The silence was prolonged.As the seconds passed by, the words seemed more serious and clumsy.There was only one double bed in Pug's room.This innocent confession could be extended to mean the following, and it was true: I would sleep with Pug and live in that room with him.There's enough closets for both of us. .I don't need another room.I love him so much.I want to stay with him. Rhoda's mouth was tilted wildly to one side.In the mirror, her eyes looked so cold and sad, turning from Pamela's face to look at the fancy room. "I don't think you'll need it. Huck and I share two rooms, which is quite convenient, but look I've broken the conversation again, haven't I? Well, see what else there is to do?" Back in the living room, she looked out the window and said, "Your side faces south. It's nice. What a beautiful magnolia! These older apartment houses are the best. Isn't that school playground not too noisy? Of course , now is the time for get out of class." "I didn't notice." "Do you know why they flew the flag at half-staff?" "Really? No. It wasn't like that half an hour ago." "Really?" Rhoda frowned. "Maybe it's something related to the war?" Pamela said, "I'm going to turn on the radio." The radio was hot and chattering, it was advertising Fortune brand cigarettes.Pamela switched stations. "... Justice Stone is now going to the White House," said the rapporteur's soft, mellow voice and professional air of genuine emotion, "to preside over the inauguration of Vice President Harry Truman. Mrs. Roosevelt is about to fly to Hot Springs, Georgia. -" "God forbid, it's about the President," said Rhoda, startled.She put her hand on her forehead and knocked the hat askew. The news is brief.The president died suddenly of a stroke at his vacation home in Georgia.The whole process is this.The rapporteur went on and on about Washington's reaction.Rhoda gestured to Pamela to turn off the radio.She sank down in an armchair and stared. "Franklin. Roosevelt is dead. Oh, it seems the world is over." Her voice was hoarse. "I've seen him. I sat next to him at dinners at the White House. What a man he was! Do you know what he said to me? I'll never forget those words as long as I live. He Said: "There are not many men who deserve a wife as beautiful as you, Rhoda, but Pug does. ' That's what he said.You know, talking like that is just to please me.But he did look at me that way, as if he really thought that way.died!Roosevelt!How to deal with this war?Truman is a man of no prestige.Oh, what a nightmare! " "It's horrible," said Pamela, quickly going over the global strategy to see if it would delay Pug's return to Washington. "Huck said he still left some wine in here," Rhoda said. "There's a lot of wine." "Well, do you know why? I'm not going to that meeting. Let me have a couple of straight whiskeys, darling? When I'm done I'll go home." Pamela was pouring wine in the kitchen when she heard crying.She hurried back to the sitting room.Rhoda sat among the empty boxes, tears streaming down her face, her hat on one side, Warren's photo album open on her lap. "The world is over," she said sadly. "It's over."