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Show 194 "Not if the Major doesn't want 'em. He's a country boy at heart." As if tha visit were not going well enough, Mrs Satterwhite pulled off the greatest coup of all - - or, rather, had it pulled off for her. Curtis met Smead. Smead had been in Osaka during the first few days, and even on his return the Satter-whites (who now bore him like an unmerited cross) refused to invite him over. But one night the General's party dropped by the Club; Smead, in his yellow-eyed, obsequious-but-aggressive manner, managed to introduce himself, and the friendship came together like the two halves of an egg. The General and Smead sensed each other's nature from the look in their particolored eyes, and began to shed formality. "What'd you say your name was?" "Smead, General." "What do you do around here?" Smead looked around to see if the Colonel was nigh. "Fuck up, mainly," and he laughed. The General's face expanded. "Any special way?" "Naw. I don't specialize." "Have another drink," said the General, "and let's talk about tomorrow." The following-morning Smead joined the fishing-party, and from than on,tha General's activities moved into a faster, and more debauched, pace. |