Chapter 5

AT last, one afternoon a day or two later, the Major found himself alone with Giuseppe, the interpreter. “Giuseppe,” he said, “do you have natural blondes in this part of the country?”

Giuseppe winked understandingly: “Oh, so you got a pair a eyes after all, eh, boss?”

Major Joppolo said coolly: “Do you have natural blondes in this part, Giuseppe?”

Giuseppe said: “I guess a you seen the blonde in a church last Sunday, next a me, eh, boss?”

“Answer my question, interpreter,” the Major said severely.

“Okay, a boss,” Giuseppe said. “Blondes is natural in a north. Down here not so natural, a boss.”

“I thought not.”

The Major went back to his work. Giuseppe puttered around a bit and then said: “Boss.”

Major Joppolo answered with some temper. “What is it, Giuseppe?” he said.

“If a boss is a lonely, Giuseppe could fix a good date, maybe my friend a blonde.”

Major Joppolo said: “Who said I was lonely?”

Giuseppe said: “Boss, I been in a Cleveland, Ohio, I can tell what’s a like to be a long way from a home. Fellow gets a lonely.”

The Major said: “I haven’t got time to be lonely. I’m busy now, Giuseppe. “

“Yes, a boss.”

After he had worked a while, Major Joppolo said: “Giuseppe.”

“Yes, a boss.”

“Who was this blonde you were with last Sunday?” This time Giuseppe was very careful to keep his face grave, and to answer the Major’s question precisely. “Name’s a Tina. She’s a daughter a Tomasino. He’s a fisherman.”

“A fisherman? Is he a good fisherman?”

“Best a one, a boss.”

“Do the other fishermen respect him?”

“Sure, he’s a best a one.”

“Good, I want to see him, Giuseppe.”

This time Giuseppe couldn’t resist winking. “Sure, a boss, I get it.”

Major Joppolo said: “Bring him :n to see me early next week, Giuseppe. I want to start the fishermen going out again. It’ll supplement the food supply. By the first of next week, I’m sure I can get permission from the Navy.”