Retreat From Rostov Part Three by Paul Hughes

Author:Paul Hughes
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: world war ii, russia, rostov, hitler, germany, stalin, war strategy, winter warfare, don river, hitlers defeat
Publisher: UCS PRESS

In Rostov, again before the ruins of a hotel, stood Rosten and Linka Platoff, and they were gesticulating at each other with fervor.

“Come home, Rosten.”

“No, Linka.”

“Why must you keep on standing here?”

“Because I want to keep on reminding myself of what the important people do once they get started.”

“Haven’t you been reminded of that enough already?”

“I want to remind myself all over again, so that it will stick in my brain forever. This is what comes of the people who want to do things. From this day, I shall associate only with the lazy men, with the laughing gypsies and all the other insignificant people in the world.”

“You are a fool, Rosten Platoff.”

“They have blown my hotel away. What can I do now? Shall I carry water for Comrade Hitler and Comrade Stalin? Shall I be a slave to those who have ruined me?”

“You need be no slave. There will be something for you to do somewhere. Come along now and we’ll see about it.”

“Look at this building! Look at this town! All burned and blown up. And for what? Did it make any of the important people any more important? Did it make anybody happy?”

“It saved Russia.”

“It did not save my hotel.”

“It may have saved the world.”

“I do not care about the world. The hotel was my responsibility, and it did not save the hotel.”

“If I do not get you away soon, you will go mad.”

“I have already gone mad. Ever since the first time I put my faith in the human race, I have been an utter idiot.”

“And when was that?”

“When I drew milk from my mother’s breast. That was the last time I received from a human being what was promised.”

“We must go to take care of Kaaron Terenski.”

“Of course. When are we going to see Comrade Stalin and Comrade Hitler about rebuilding the hotel?”

“One of these days we will see them. Maybe when the spring comes, we shall speak to them. But please do not shout so loud about Comrade Stalin. Remember the NKVD.”

“Ha! You think I am afraid of the secret police, do you?”

“They could have you shot if they wanted you shot.”

“Oh, yes. Of course. Or blow up the hotel. Or burn the town to the ground. Or anything they choose.”

“Kaaron Terenski will need us. She is not well. You are complaining so much! Have you heard her complain? Have you heard her utter words of anger or protest?”

“I have heard nothing from her. She is a fool. It is her duty to make a noise, to shout from the housetops that she has been mistreated. I hate people who are long-suffering and forbearing. Let her howl about her difficulties. Perhaps she will get some relief.”

“And perhaps not.”

“She certainly will not get any by keeping silent. People have been silent a long time, but things have not improved in the least!”

Without venturing further argument with him, Linka merely took him by the hand and led him away toward the home of Kaaron Terenski. There, awaiting them, were Roger Dameron and Bess Elsenburg, who still kept guard over Kaaron’s sleep.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.