120 Most of the men took it well. Only one went
hysterical, struggling against his bonds and claiming he was innocent.
Morn slapped him hard across the face, then shook him. The man simply
stood there after that, weeping. Finally it was done, and Morn walked
back toward North. The squad was ready. North counted them quickly.
"There's only thirty-eight," he remarked.
121 "I'm thirty-nine," North answered, "but there should be forty. The
Officer in charge does not usually take part."
122 "I will not order any man," Morn argued, "to do something I would
not do myself. "
123 The troops had cordoned off a section of the roof. The crowd was
gathering behind it. The women of the men to die were inside the line,
contained in a separate circle. To Morn's anger, he saw children with
them. He walked over and snapped at the Officer in charge. "I said the
children were not to come!"
124 "I'm sorry, sir!" the Officer pleaded, "The women wouldn't leave
them. They were afraid they'd be taken away while they were gone, and
they'd never see them again. You can understand, sir, it happens. I
thought it best to keep the situation under control."
125 Morn softened. "Very well," he agreed. "My rebuke withdrawn. You
women, listen to me, listen to me, now! You're not going to die. You're
going to be sent out into exile and married to Hashons. When your
children are old enough, they'll be made to select Hashon
wives and husbands also. Right now, I'll give you ten minutes to say
good-bye to your husbands. But when I send the Soldiers to bring you
back, I want no trouble. Do all of you understand?" The women nodded.
"Let them go to their men," Morn ordered.
126 As the women hurried off, Morn went back to the waiting squad.
"Gentlemen," he began, "I want this done right, I want it done clean.
If there's any man that