jarvifowler

@@@@@"It just came from message center The explanation was not necessary, and it was odd for Cummings to repeat himselfThe General was upset, he realizedUntil now Hearn had been standing rigid, his flesh sweating in painful recognition of the General's presence, his heart pumpingIt was painful to be near Cummings The General smiled, and lit a cigarette"How're you getting along, Stacey?" he asked the clerk "Fine, thank you, sir That was one of Cummings's tricksHe always remembered the names of enlisted men he had spoken to once or twice "I'll tell you, Major," Cummings's voice was still impersonal, "I'm afraid your work on Operation Coda was done for nothing "No Navy, sir?" "I'm afraid notMy little friend says there's not much chance of it"We'll launch Operation Plunger as plannedThere'll be just one little exceptionI think we ought to take the outpost opposite I Company firstI want you to draw up an order tonight for Taylor to start a push in the morning "Let's take a look at it He turned toward Hearn"Lieutenant, will you hand me that map, please "Sir?" Hearn started "I said hand me the map Cummings turned toward Dalleson again "This one?" "What other one is there?" Cummings snapped The map was fastened to a large drawing board with an overlay of celluloid tacked to it