When he was well and in charge of himself； not distracted by worry or grief； Hal Moores had a cutting and sarcastic facet to his personality； his subordinates feared that side of him even more than his anger or his contempt； I think。 His sarcasm； usually impatient and often harsh； could sting like acid。 A little of that now splashed on me。 It was unexpected； but on the whole I was glad to hear it。 All the fight hadn't gone out of him after all； it seemed。
〃No；〃 he said； 〃I'm taking Melinda out squaredancing。 We're going to do…si…do； allemand left； and then tell the fiddler he's a rooster…dick motherfucker。〃
I clapped my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing。 Mercifully； it was an urge that passed in a hurry。
〃I'm sorry；〃 he said。 〃I haven't been getting much sleep lately。 It's made me grouchy。 Of course we're going to be home。 Why do you ask？〃
〃It doesn't matter； I guess；〃 I said。
〃You weren't thinking of ing by； were you？
Because if you were on last night； you'll be on tonight。 Unless you've switched with somebody？〃
〃No； I haven't switched；〃 I said。 〃I'm on tonight。〃
〃It wouldn't be a good idea； anyway。 Not the way she is right now。〃
〃Maybe not。 Thanks for your news。〃
〃You're wele。 Pray for my Melinda； Paul。〃
I said I would； thinking that I might do quite a bit more than pray。 God helps those who help themselves； as they say in The Church of Praise Jesus； The Lord Is Mighty。 I hung up and loo