Armageddon_ A Novel of Berlin - Leon Uris [26]
Hansen gave the letter to Sean. “What a fine man,” the general said. “Sean, I want to use you in here with me as my adjutant. I want you to give up your command.”
“Give up my command?”
“You’re asking too much of yourself. After what has happened I don’t think you or anyone else could be placed in a position of direct contact with Germans. Your judgment would be too clouded now.”
A familiar rumble outside had been building up in intensity ever since Sean entered the office. Suddenly it became overwhelming. The roar made further conversation impossible; the windows rattled and the building trembled at its moorings. Sean and General Hansen went to the window—for once the London sky was clear. Wave after wave of Liberator bombers lumbered like flying whales toward the coast. The invasion of Europe could not be far off now.
“General Hansen,” Sean said. “I want my command.”
Chapter Twelve
NAN MILFORD FLUNG THE door open. Andrew Jackson Hansen stood before her. Her expression changed from anticipation to obvious disappointment.
“I am General Hansen,” he said. “May I come in?”
“Of course.”
All the trappings of a reunion were in evidence: a magnificent woman in an attractive hostess gown; a candlelit table in the alcove; music from the gramophone, and dim lights. He trailed her into the living room. She was, indeed, beautiful, but ice and anger too.
“Major O’Sullivan had to leave for Shrivenham unexpectedly.”
“At your personal arrangement?”
“May I sit down?”
“By all means.”
“Mrs. Milford. We have some unpleasant things to say to each other. I’d like a drink.” Nan coldly poured him one. He did not like the situation. He would rather have taken on anyone than an angry woman.
“As long as we are going to be candid,” Nan said, “I should like to know just how far your command extends into the personal lives of your men.”
“Mrs. Milford ...”
“And I should like to know why you have deliberately kept me from him at a time like this. Even my phone calls were stopped.”
“Because, this is the time you should have been kept from him.”
“I do not understand your ideas of compassion, General.”
“That boy is so badly hurt he even denies his God.”
“He’s needed me, General.”
“Yes, he has. Needing you is bad enough when he is sound. What if he crawls to you now and throws himself into your merciful arms?”
“Isn’t love to be given when it is most needed?”
“Yes, Mrs. Milford, but you cannot give it ... you can merely lend it.”
Nan paled.
“You are offering a crutch to a wounded man. I would like to see him healed. Either prepare to go through with this all the way, divorce, remarriage, the works ... or let him live his own life, without you.”
Nan arched her back and fought back the tears forming in her eyes. “He thinks the world of you, General Hansen. It borders on worship.”
“He is worshiped, too. This boy took over the command of older, wiser men who had already cut their niches as talented specialists and he has molded them together. Since this tragedy his team has all but disintegrated. Now, all of us who love Sean O’Sullivan must give that love in the way it will help him the most. His men will give it to him through dedication. His father gave it to him through the gift of manhood, by allowing him to pursue the dictates of his conscience. I have let him know I believe in him. I have returned him to his command ...”
“And I ...”
“You know what you have to do, Mrs. Milford.”
“Has it been ghastly for him?”
“I have seldom seen a human being suffer so deeply.”
“My poor Sean ... my poor darling.”
Nan pressed her folded hands tightly, drew a deep breath, and shook her head quickly. It was over just like that! In the end, which she had always known would come, Nan reverted to her breeding. The dreaded loneliness, the fear of time stretching endlessly before her suddenly vanished in a well of compassion for Sean. General Hansen knew why Sean loved her so ...why he needed her and why