Уловка 22

The Chaplain

           Heabandonedtheditchfortheforestthemomenthesawsomeonecomingtowardhimfromtheoppositedirectionandranthroughtheclutteredforestfrenziedlylikesomeonepursued,hischeeksburningwithdisgrace.Heheardloud,wildpealsofderisivelaughtercrashingallabouthimandcaughtblurredglimpsesofwicked,beeryfacessmirkingfarbackinsidethebushesandhighoverheadinthefoliageofthetrees.Spasmsofscorchingpainsstabbedthroughhislungsandslowedhimtoacrippledwalk.Helungedandstaggeredonwarduntilhecouldgonofartherandcollapsedallatonceagainstagnarledappletree,banginghisheadhardagainstthetrunkashetoppledforwardandholdingonwithbotharmstokeepfromfalling.Hisbreathingwasarasping,moaningdininhisears.Minutespassedlikehoursbeforehefinallyrecognizedhimselfasthesourceoftheturbulentroarthatwasoverwhelminghim.Thepainsinhischestabated.Soonhefeltstrongenoughtostand.Hecockedhisearscraftily.Theforestwasquiet.Therewasnodemoniclaughter,noonewaschasinghim.Hewastootiredandsadanddirtytofeelrelieved.Hestraightenedhisdisheveledclothingwithfingersthatwerenumbandshakingandwalkedtherestofthewaytotheclearingwithrigidself-control.Thechaplainbroodedoftenaboutthedangerofheartattack.

           CorporalWhitcomb’sjeepwasstillparkedintheclearing.ThechaplaintiptoedstealthilyaroundthebackofCorporalWhitcomb’stentratherthanpasstheentranceandriskbeingseenandinsultedbyhim.

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