altitude； the thought…pistol went off in Dick Hallorann's head again。 His
shoulders hunched uselessly against the smell of oranges and then jerked
spasmodically。 His forehead wrinkled； his mouth drew down in a grimace of pain。
（！！！ DICK PLEASE E QUICK WE'RE IN BAD
TROUBLE DICK WE NEED）
And that was all。 It was suddenly gone。 No fading out this time。 The
munication had been chopped off cleanly； as if with a knife。 It scared him。
His hands； still clutching the seat rests； had gone almost white。 His mouth was
dry。 Something had happened to the boy。 He was sure of it。 If anyone had hurt
that little child —
〃Do you always react so violently to takeoffs？〃
He looked around。 It was the woman in the horn…rimmed glasses。
〃It wasn't that；〃 Hallorann said。 〃I've got a steel plate in my head。 From
Korea。 Every now and then it gives me a twinge。 Vibrates； don't you know。
Scrambles the signal。〃
〃Is that so？〃
〃Yes； ma'am。〃
〃It is the line soldier who ultimately pays for any foreign intervention；〃 the
sharp…faced woman said grimly。
〃Is that so？〃
〃It is。 This country must swear off its dirty little wars。 The CIA has been at
the root of every dirty little war America has fought in this century。 The CIA
and dollar diplomacy。〃
She opened her book and began to read。 The No SMOKING sign went off。 Hallorann
watched the receding land and wondered if the boy was all right。 He had
developed an affectionate feeling for that boy； although his folks hadn't seemed
all that much。
He hoped to God they were watching out for Danny。
》
DRINKS ON THE HOUSE
Jack stood in the dining room just outsid