OCR Text |
Show 163 Detachments were at the station again, seeing them off for the last time. Roth looked remarkably handsome. "It worked out," said Sid, as he and Koontz stood slightly apart from the others. "It was close." "I was sorry, for Kimiko's sake. How is she now?" "Wonderful. Wonderful." And Koontz looked across to where, dressed in Western clothes, she was saying her farewells to the Detachment wives. She spoke to each gently, warmly, but with the underlying power of dignity. "How will it be, when you get back to the States?" The Sergeant shrugged. "We're not sure. Rut" -- the conductor was calling the train, and Kimiko stepped toward him -- "we're not afraid. We'll handle it as it comes." And giving Sid a last salute he walked away. The couple boarded; doors slammed; with a slow thrusting of pistons the wheels began to move. The Detachments waved and received a last brief flutter from inside the coach; then the last car rolled past and the train grew smaller down the track. "Who's leavin'?" asked a hearty voice, and Louise, talking with Mike Asano, turned to see Mrs Pryce. "Sergeant Koontz and his bride. Off for Hokkaido." "Koontz -- the one who married the Jap? nig stink over that. Well" - she gazed good-naturedly -- "he got her. Mow he'll find out what she's like." Her eyes swept the platform, and caught Jennings' small figure and startled glance. "There's |