The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck Read Free Book Online Page B

the orders, you will penalize and reward. In that way, they will not give trouble.”
    Mayor Orden looked at Doctor Winter. “What are you thinking about?”
    â€œI don’t know,” said Doctor Winter. “It would be interesting to see. I’d expect trouble. This might be a bitter people.”
    Mayor Orden said, “I don’t know, either.” He turned to the colonel. “Sir, I am of this people, and yet I don’t know what they will do. Perhaps you know. Or maybe it would be different from anything you know or we know. Some people accept appointed leaders and obey them. But my people have elected me. They made me and they can un-make me. Perhaps they will if they think I have gone over to you. I just don’t know.”
    The colonel said, “You will be doing them a service if you keep them in order.”
    â€œA service?”
    â€œYes, a service. It is your duty to protect them from harm. They will be in danger if they are rebellious. We must get the coal, you see. Our leaders do not tell us how; they order us to get it. But you have your people to protect. You must make them do the work and thus keep them safe.”
    Mayor Orden asked, “But suppose they don’t want to be safe?”
    â€œThen you must think for them.”
    Orden said, a little proudly, “My people don’t like to have others think for them. Maybe they are different from your people. I am confused, but that I am sure of.”
    Now Joseph came in quickly and he stood leaning forward, bursting to speak. Madame said, “What is it, Joseph? Get the silver box of cigarettes.”
    â€œPardon, Madame,” said Joseph. “Pardon, Your Excellency.”
    â€œWhat do you want?” the Mayor asked.
    â€œIt’s Annie,” he said. “She’s getting angry, sir.”
    â€œWhat is the matter?” Madame demanded.
    â€œAnnie doesn’t like the soldiers on the back porch.”
    The colonel asked, “Are they causing trouble?”
    â€œThey are looking through the door at Annie,” said Joseph. “She hates that.”
    The colonel said, “They are carrying out orders. They are doing no harm.”
    â€œWell, Annie hates to be stared at,” said Joseph.
    Madame said, “Joseph, tell Annie to take care.”
    â€œYes, Madame,” and Joseph went out.
    The colonel’s eyes dropped with tiredness. “There’s another thing, Your Excellency,” he said. “Would it be possible for me and my staff to stay here?”
    Mayor Orden thought a moment and he said, “It’s a small place. There are larger, more comfortable places.”
    Then Joseph came back with the silver box of cigarettes and he opened it and held it in front of the colonel. When the colonel took one, Joseph ostentatiously lighted it. The colonel puffed deeply.
    â€œIt isn’t that,” he said. “We have found that when a staff lives under the roof of the local authority, there is more tranquillity.”
    â€œYou mean,” said Orden, “the people feel there is collaboration involved?”
    â€œYes, I suppose that is it.”
    Mayor Orden looked hopelessly at Doctor Winter, and Winter could offer him nothing but a wry smile. Orden said softly, “Am I permitted to refuse this honor?”
    â€œI’m sorry,” the colonel said. “No. These are the orders of my leader.”
    â€œThe people will not like it,” Orden said.
    â€œAlways the people! The people are disarmed. The people have no say.”
    Mayor Orden shook his head. “You do not know, sir.”
    From the doorway came the sound of an angry woman’s voice, and a thump and a man’s cry. Joseph came scuttling through the door. “She’s thrown boiling water,” Joseph said. “She’s very angry.”
    There were commands through the door and the clump of feet. Colonel Lanser got up heavily. “Have you no control over