Caine Mutiny, The - Herman Wouk [32]
“They certainly do, sir.”
Keefer heard this exchange. “Hey, Willie, give us the Gnu Knew.”
Willie shook his head, but the admiral said, “What? What’s that? Let’s have it, whatever it is.”
The song caused a sensation. The admiral put down his glass and applauded, whereupon everyone else did the same. He was in chuckling high spirits. “What’s your name, Ensign? By George, you’re a find.”
“Keith, sir.”
“Keith. Good name. Not a Keith from Indiana?”
“No, sir. Long Island.”
“Good name anyway. Now, let’s have some more music. Let’s see. Do you know Who Hit Annie in the Fanny with a Flounder?”
“No, sir.”
“Hell, I thought everyone knew that.”
“If you’ll sing it, sir,” said Keefer eagerly, “Willie can pick it up in a second.”
“By God I will,” said the admiral, glancing around at the captain beside him, “if Matson here will pitch in.”
“Certainly, Admiral.”
Willie-easily picked up the refrain of Who Hit Annie in the Fanny with a Flounder, and the house rocked with the chorus sung twice by all hands, male and female. The nurses giggled, cooed, and twittered. “This is the best damn party,” cried the admiral, “we’ve ever had. Somebody give me a cigarette. Where are you stationed, boy? I want you to come again, often.”
“I’m trying to catch up with the U.S.S. Caine, sir.”
“Caine? Caine? Christ, is she still in commission?”
Captain Matson leaned over and said, “Converted DMS, sir.”
“Oh, one of those. Where is she?”
“Just left today, sir.” He dropped his voice. “ ‘Ashtray.’ ”
“Hm.” The admiral regarded Willie keenly. “Matson, can you take care of this lad?”
“I think so, Admiral.”
“Well, more music, Keith!”
When the party broke up at midnight, the captain slipped Willie his card. “Come and see me at 0900, Keith.”
“Aye aye, sir.”
Next morning Willie presented himself at the captain’s office in the CincPac Building. The captain rose and shook hands pleasantly.
“Sure enjoyed your music, Keith. Never saw the admiral have a better time. By God, he needs it-does him good.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Well,” said the captain, “if you want I can put you on a plane for Australia. Maybe you’ll catch the Caine down there, maybe you won’t. She’s running convoy. Those escorts get shoved here and there by every port director who gets his hands on them-”
“Whatever you say, sir-”
“Or,” said the captain, “we can put you on temporary duty here in the officer pool till she gets back to Pearl. Might be a few weeks, might be a few months. Depends on whether you’re in a hurry for combat duty or- They can use you out there, sure enough. The admiral wouldn’t interfere with your going out, in any way.” Captain Matson grinned.
Willie glanced through the broad picture window which faced the sea and the hills. A rainbow was drifting down a palm-covered misty mountainside far away. Outside on the lawn crimson hibiscus blossoms stirred in the warm breeze, and a sprinkler twirled a sparkling spiral of water over the close-clipped grass.
“Officer pool sounds swell to me, sir.”
“Fine. The admiral will be pleased. Bring your orders around to my yeoman any time today.”
Willie was officially transferred to the officer pool, and took up quarters with Keefer in the BOQ. The Southerner, who had already been assigned to Third Fleet Communications, exulted as Willie unpacked his bags.
“Boy, you catching on to the military life.”
“I don’t know. Maybe they needed me on the Caine-”
“Shinola on that. You gonna get all the war you want, boy. You keep little old Keefer and the admiral happy a few weeks, that’s all.” He rose and swiftly knotted a black tie. “Got the duty. See you tonight.”
Unpacking, Willie came upon his father’s letter. He took it up uncertainly. Months might pass now, before he reached his ship. Dr. Keith had told him to open it upon reporting for duty. He was on duty-temporary duty, to be sure, but it might last a long time. He lit a cigarette, tore open the letter, and