Farnham's Freehold Read Online Free PDF

stand watch.”
    “I’ll stay up with you.”
    “I’m not sleepy.”
    “Slow down!” Hugh said. “Joe, you can’t stand watch now because you have to relieve me when I’m tuckered out. You and I will alternate until the situation is safe.”
    Joe shrugged and kept quiet. Duke said, “Then it’s my privilege.”
    “Can’t either of you add? Two bunks for women, two for men. What’s left over? We’ll fold this table and the gal left over can sprawl on the floor here. Joe, break out the blankets and put a couple here and a couple in the tank space for me.”
    “Right away, Hugh!”
    Both girls insisted on standing watch. Hugh shut them off. “Cut for it.”
    “But—”
    “Pipe down, Barbara. Ace low, and low girl sleeps in a bunk, the other here on the floor. Duke, do you want a sleeping pill?”
    “That’s one habit I don’t have.”
    “Don’t be an iron man.”
    “Well…a rain check?”
    “Surely. Joe? Seconal?”
    “Well, I’m so relieved that I don’t have to take that quiz tomorrow…”
    “Glad somebody is happy. All right.”
    “I was going to add that I’m pretty keyed up. You’re sure you won’t need me?”
    “I’m sure. Karen, get one for Joe. You know where?”
    “Yes, and I’m going to get one for me, since I won the cut. I’m no iron man! And a Miltown on top of it.”
    “Do that. Sorry, Barbara, you can’t have one; I might have to wake you and have you keep me awake. You can have Miltown. You’ll probably sleep from it.”
    “I don’t need it.”
    “As you wish. Bed, everybody. It’s midnight and two of you are going on watch in eight hours.”
    In a few minutes all were in bed, with Barbara where the table had been; all lights out save one in the tank space. Hugh squatted on blankets there, playing solitaire—badly.
    Again the floor heaved, again came that terrifying rumble. Karen screamed.
    Hugh was up at once. This one was not as violent; he was able to stay on his feet. He hurried into the girls’ dorm. “Baby! Where are you?” He fumbled, found the light switch.
    “Up here, Daddy. Oh, I’m scared! I was just dropping off and it almost threw me out. Help me down.”
    He did so; she clung to him, sobbing. “There, there,” he said, patting her. “You’ve been a brave girl, don’t let it throw you.”
    “I’m not brave. I’ve been scared silly all along. I just didn’t want it to show.”
    “Well… I’m scared too. So let’s not show it, huh? Better have another pill. And a stiff drink.”
    “All right. Both. I’m not going to sleep in that bunk. It’s too hot up there, as well as scary when it shakes.”
    “All right, I’ll pull the mattress down. Where’s your panties and bra, baby girl? Better put ’em on.”
    “Up there. I don’t care, I just want people. Oh, I suppose I should. Shock Joseph if I didn’t.”
    “Just a moment. Here are your pants. But where did you hide your brassiere?”
    “Maybe it got pushed down behind.”
    Hugh dragged the mattress down. “I don’t find it.”
    “The hell with it. Joe can look the other way. I want that drink.”
    “All right. Joe’s a gentleman.”
    Duke and Barbara were sitting on the blanket she had been napping on; they were looking very solemn. Hugh said, “Where’s Joe? He wasn’t hurt, was he?”
    Duke gave a short laugh. “Want to see ‘Sleeping Innocence’? That bottom bunk.”
    Hugh found his second-in-command sprawled on his back, snoring, as deeply unconscious as Grace Farnham. Dr.-Livingstone-I-Presume was curled up on his chest. Hugh came back. “Well, that blast was farther away. I’m glad Joe could sleep.”
    “It was too damned close to suit me! When are they going to run out of those things?”
    “Soon, I hope. Folks, Karen and I have just formed the ‘I’m-scared-too’ club and are about to celebrate with a drink. Any candidates?”
    “I’m a charter member!”
    “So am I,” agreed Barbara. “God, yes!”
    Hugh fetched paper cups, and bottles—Scotch,