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Show 113 CHAPTER IX One morning Sergeant Koontz appeared at Sid's desk slightly more correct than usual. "Sir," he said, "I'd like permission to marry." Sid gazed a moment. Then:*1 "Made up your mind, have you?" "Yes sir. I've known quite a while, but Kimiko wanted time. And I had to write my mother." "What did she say?" "Not much." He stared out the window as if searching for the farm in Arkansas, and the look on his mother's face, "I've been around, sir, and seen the others. There may be nice girls - - in San Francisco, for instance -=•- - but I didn't meet any." "Where'd you hang out?" "Where we all did: bars." Sid held out his hands, palms up. "Well," he said in a moment, "I'm delighted. She's a fine girl. As you know, I'm supposed to conduct an 'investigation,' Might talk to Kimiko in the kitchen." Why the Army thought one man should decide on another's choice was beyond him: he suspected racial distrust, or the condescending paternalism the Army had inherited from the past. Either way, it was another item that might drive him back to civilian life. Standing up, he stretched out his hand. "Congratulations, Sergeant. I'll make out the papers. And I will, of course, notify the Major." "Thank you, sir." Koontz saluted and walked away. After peering out the window for a moment, Sid knockdd on the door of the inner office, whence issued a grunt. The Major, Sid saw, was "working": picking his teeth, feet on the sill. "Sergeant Koontz was in," said Sid. "Wants to marry my maid." |