Звездный десант

           MylittleJohnnie—Oh,it’sdisappointment,too;Ihadwaitedforthisday.ButIcanwaitawhilelonger."Hesmiledthroughhistears."You’vegrown,lad.Andfilledout,too."

           "Uh,Iguessso.But,Father,I’mnotanofficeryetandImightonlybeoutoftheRogafewdays.Imean,theysometimesbust‘emoutprettyfastand—"

           "Enoughofthat,youngman!"

           "Huh?"

           "You’llmakeit.Let’shavenomoretalkof‘bustingout.’"Suddenlyhesmiled."That’sthefirsttimeI’vebeenabletotellasergeanttoshutup."

           "Well...I’llcertainlytry,Father.AndifIdomakeit,I’llcertainlyputinfortheoldRog.But—"Itrailedoff.

           "Yes,Iknow.Yourrequestwon’tmeananythingunlessthere’sabilletforyou.Nevermind.Ifthishourisallwehave,we’llmakethemostofitandI’msoproudofyouI’msplittingmyseams.Howhaveyoubeen,Johnnie?"

           "Oh,fine,justfine."Iwasthinkingthatitwasn’tallbad.HewouldbebetteroffintheRoughnecksthaninanyotheroutfit.Allmyfriends...they’dtakecareofhim,keephimalive.I’dhavetosendagramtoAce—

           Fatherlikeasnotwouldn’tevenletthemknowhewasrelated."Father,howlonghaveyoubeenin?"

           "Alittleoverayear."

           "Andcorporalalready!"

           Fathersmiledgrimly."They’remakingthemfastthesedays.