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Show 199 had struck it rich. For as Phyllis had observed, the General liked pretty girls, and Oji's deficiency in that line was, even Smead suspected, the only mark against the visit. As the momentum rose, Mrs Satterwhite felt a subtly corresponding pressure. Her brother's escapades could not be hidden forever; her husband's brow was growing darker; besides, she had largely accomplished her mission. Thanks to her "seeds," and even more to Smead's nature, the Detachments had come to be an object of automatic scorn. "If you get the assignment," she said one evening, "I hope you'll settle their . . . problem." "Whatever you wish, Sis, whatever you wish." "Their own people could handle their mission, but Marvin could take command." "Should be easy." "And I'll do the rest." A gust of wind rattled the windows, and raising her head victoriously she gazed across the bay. "Among others, take over a house." "Any you want, Sis. Even the Major's."" "I think it's disgraceful," said Harriet. "We haven't even acknowledged his presence." Her husband raised his soft grey eyebrows. "What can we do? If the Major won't move, we can't." "What's holding him back? He can't not know." |