From Here to Eternity_ The Restored Edit - Jones, James [277]
Nobody said anything. They were all thinking of the unfinished blues that were still in Slade’s hand, and that might not ever be finished now, that you could not just run off like a mimeograph, that you had to get the mood right for, and that the right mood for might not come again soon. They all felt Lt Culpepper was to blame for this. Still, they did not feel like saying anything.
“Now if there are no more arguments or discussions,” Lt Culpepper said in a dry droll tone, “I suggest we end this interview. You may use your light going down the path, if you wish,” he said.
“Yes, Sir,” Prew said, and saluted. Lt Culpepper returned it formally. Andy, Slade and Friday saluted too then, as if suddenly remembering. Lt Culpepper returned them formally and collectively. He waited until they had gone on ahead and followed them down the path at a distance with his light. They did not turn their light on.
“God damn,” Slade muttered thickly. “God damn. They always make you feel like a schoolboy who has had his hands slapped with the ruler.”
“Forget it,” Prew said loudly. “How do you like the Infantry now?” He said it bitterly. His little farce was over.
Nobody else said anything.
Weary Russell met them at the truck.
“I dint have a chance,” he whispered. “He started right up as soon as he seen the light. I couldnt even give you a yell. I couldnt do a thing.”
“Yeah?” Prew said dully. “Ats all right. Forget it. What the hell are you whispering for?” he said angrily.
Lt Culpepper came up behind them to the truck. “And Prewitt,” he said in a dry droll tone. “I thought I’d tell you it wont do you any good to plan to go back up after we are gone. I’ve already given the corporal on duty orders to keep an eye out up that way.”
“Yes, Sir,” Prew said, and saluted. “I think we’re all through anyway, Sir,” he said. It sounded very pompous. He cursed himself. Lt Culpepper grinned. Lt Culpepper climbed in the truck.
“Wheres the First Sergeant, Russell?” he said.
“Dont know, Sir,” Weary said. “I guess he aims to stay over here.”
“How’ll he get back?”
“I dont know, Sir,” Weary said.
“Well,” Lt Culpepper grinned happily, “thats his tough luck, isnt it? He has to be back for Reveille. I guess he’ll have to walk. Come on, Anderson, lets go. Lets get the hell out of this sinkhole,” he said to Russell.
“Yes, Sir,” Weary said.
The truck backed and turned and pulled out, leaving a large empty hollow behind it. They stood by the opening through the wire and watched the truck pull out grindingly over the rough ground. In the light from the headlights they could see Andy sitting in the back holding his guitar.
Friday laughed, trying to fill the hollow. “Some fun, hey? A good time was had by all.”
“Here,” Slade said. He handed Prew the sheets of paper from his notebook. “These are yours. You’ll want them.”
“Dont you want a copy?”
Slade moved his head. “I’ll get one from you some other time. I guess I better get going. I’ve got to walk back to the Field.”
“Okay,” Prew said. “Take it easy.”
“You better watch it,” Friday said, “after this. Not let him catch you over here no more.”
“I know it,” Slade said. “You dont have to tell me. I’ll see you all, sometime.” He started off across the truck tracks to the road.
“You think he’ll transfer in?” Friday said.
“No; I dont,” Prew said. “What do you think? Would you? Here,” he said, and thrust the papers at him. “These are Andy’s. Its his tune.”
“We’ll finish it sometime,” Friday said, taking them and buttoning them down in his pocket carefully. “We’ll finish it later. When we get back in garrison.”
“Yeah,” Prew said. “Sure.”
“We could finish it now,” Friday said eagerly. “You and me. Do it in the kitchen tent. We wont need no music now.”
“Do it yourself,” Prew said. “I think I’ll take myself a little walk.”
He went out through the gap in the wire and across the truck tracks toward the road.
“But dont you want to do it now?