The Moon Is Down by John Steinbeck

Molly; do you know?”
    â€œNo, sir, but I think the people feel that they are beaten if they are docile. They want to show these soldiers they’re unbeaten.”
    â€œThey’ve had no chance to fight. It’s no fight to go against machine guns,” Doctor Winter said.
    Orden said, “When you know what they want to do, will you tell me, Molly?”
    She looked at him suspiciously. “Yes—” she said.
    â€œYou mean ‘no.’ You don’t trust me.”
    â€œBut how about Alex?” she questioned.
    â€œI’ll not sentence him. He has committed no crime against our people,” said the Mayor.
    Molly was hesitant now. She said, “Will they—will they kill Alex?”
    Orden stared at her and he said, “Dear child, my dear child.”
    She held herself rigid. “Thank you.”
    Orden came close to her and she said weakly, “Don’t touch me. Please don’t touch me. Please don’t touch me.” And his hand dropped. For a moment she stood still, then she turned stiffly and went out of the door.
    She had just closed the door when Joseph entered. “Excuse me, sir, the colonel wants to see you. I said you were busy. I knew she was here. And Madame wants to see you, too.”
    Orden said, “Ask Madame to come in.”
    Joseph went out and Madame came in immediately.
    â€œI don’t know how I can run a house,” she began; “it’s more people than the house can stand. Annie’s angry all the time.”
    â€œHush!” Orden said.
    Madame looked at him in amazement. “I don’t know what—”
    â€œHush!” he said. “Sarah, I want you to go to Alex Morden’s house. Do you understand? I want you to stay with Molly Morden while she needs you. Don’t talk, just stay with her.”
    Madame said, “I’ve a hundred things—”
    â€œSarah, I want you to stay with Molly Morden. Don’t leave her alone. Go now.”
    She comprehended slowly. “Yes,” she said. “Yes, I will. When will it be over?”
    â€œI don’t know,” he said. “I’ll send Annie when it’s time.”
    She kissed him lightly on the cheek and went out. Orden walked to the door and called, “Joseph, I’ll see the colonel now.”
    Lanser came in. He had on a new pressed uniform with a little ornamental dagger at the belt. He said, “Good morning, Your Excellency. I wish to speak to you informally.” He glanced at Doctor Winter. “I should like to speak to you alone.”
    Winter went slowly to the door and as he reached it Orden said, “Doctor!”
    Winter turned. “Yes?”
    â€œWill you come back this evening?”
    â€œYou will have work for me?” the doctor asked.
    â€œNo—no. I just won’t like to be alone.”
    â€œI will be here,” said the doctor.
    â€œAnd, Doctor, do you think Molly looked all right?”
    â€œOh, I think so. Close to hysteria, I guess. But she’s good stock. She’s good, strong stock. She is a Kenderly, you know.”
    â€œI’d forgotten,” Orden said. “Yes, she is a Kenderly, isn’t she?”
    Doctor Winter went out and shut the door gently behind him.
    Lanser had waited courteously. He watched the door close. He looked at the table and the chairs about it. “I will not tell you, sir, how sorry I am about this. I wish it had not happened.”
    Mayor Orden bowed, and Lanser went on, “I like you, sir, and I respect you, but I have a job to do. You surely recognize that.”
    Orden did not answer. He looked straight into Lanser’s eyes.
    â€œWe do not act alone or on our own judgment.”
    Between sentences Lanser waited for an answer but he received none.
    â€œThere are rules laid down for us, rules made in the capital. This man has killed an officer.”
    At last Orden answered, “Why didn’t you shoot him then?