“Sandy, a moment ago, you lifted my spirits as they have seldom been lifted. But, just now, you drove them down again with about the worst piece of news I’ve ever heard. Let me speak to Captain West.”
Wham! Crrrash! Snap!
At that moment, with a blow of demonic strength, the enraged Captain West burst the last shred of the barrier separating him from Sandy Steele.
He charged into the room shouting threats and with his eyes shooting sparks of hatred. As he did, Sandy held out the telephone to him, and said, “Mr. Kennedy would like to speak to you.”
All of Captain West’s bluster and bravado seemed to vanish at the sight of that tall, blond boy who had stood so unflinchingly in his path and now extended the telephone toward him with that calm announcement. The fight went out of his eyes. The color drained from his face. His powerful shoulders sagged and his whole body seemed to slump.
Without a word, Captain West turned and dragged himself from the room.
“He doesn’t want to speak to you, sir.”
“So it’s true, then! Well, get me someone else in authority, Sandy. Put Mr. Briggs on.”
Sandy paused, awkwardly.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Kennedy, but I think the mate was working against you, too.”