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CHAPTER 9 THE THE FIRST FIRST RIDE RIDE IN IN THE THE JEEP JEEP Irecall it was only a day or two after the arrival of the troops. When I was in the station yard as usual, one of the girls called from the second floor window and said that Mr. Kuno wanted me to come as soon as possible because there was an officer in his room. Leaving Miss Kato in the yard I went up immediately and met a 2nd Lt. called Alan Garden, who afterwards became another of my good friends. He was a tall man, thin, and reminded me of an eagle. He said he belonged to the regimental headquarters and was in charge of recreation. Today he came to ask Mr. Kuno to show him where the skiing range was. I was thrilled to think that I could have a ride in that cute little vehicle, which they called a “bug”. Mr. Kuno fetched his hat and we climbed on to the jeep. Lt. Garden sat in the front seat. Mr. Kuno, myself, and the Lieutenant’s 1st Sgt. sat behind. It was a beautiful day. The sky was so blue and the mountains and trees so green. Lt. Garden was always turning back to talk to us. “I could love you for this lovely trip,” the sergeant said to the lieutenant, who laughed heartily, showing his clean white teeth. It was his laughter that attracted me. It sounded so natural and pleasant. We passed a village or two and after crossing a railroad track, we came into a valley where we could see smooth hills on the left side. “That is the place where we ski.” Mr. Kuno said I translated it faithfully. Perhaps it was because he did not say, “That is the skiing range,” but anyhow, after a short while, Lt. Garden turned and asked, “Do we still have a long way to go?” “Why! The hill that we passed a few minutes ago is the place.” “Then, where are we going now?” “I don’t know. Do You?” At my pert answer he again laughed, his voice resounding like ripples in the water. “Now, to the station,” he ordered the driver, and we came back slowly enjoying the landscape. It was really a very nice trip. “I could love you for this lovely ride,” we could have said, too. 42 ...

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