A day or two later you miss Tony. You hope and pray that he has done as you suggested, and you keep your fingers crossed. Ten days to two weeks later, as you are leaving the ward to return to quarters, a familiar voice hails you:

66

"Hi! Jim! Wait a minute. I want you to meet my folks!" You meet a father and mother with strangely moist eyes. Their English, by its peculiar inflection, betrays their European origin. The baby sister, who has hold of Tony's arm, is clearly typical of young America, from the flower in her hair to the pumps through which peek her enameled toes. On Tony's other side stands his brother, Giuseppe, erect and very proud of the World War II service button in the left lapel of his coat. They chorus in unison, "you goin' to take care of my Tony?"

67

Heck, you can't do anything for him. You can only explain the procedure he must go through. "Has he told you what I suggested to him?" "Yes," they all agree. "Well, then, it's up to you people to get behind him and encourage him to carry out that program as fast as he can."