— Captain? — he said in astonishment. — Is that… you? Why do you look like this?
The man wiped his eyes and replied softly:
— After the last operation, I came back wounded. I spent a long time recovering, spent everything I had. My wife left me, took the kids. I had to sell the house… I ended up on the streets. But now I’m healthy again and I want to come back. Service is the only thing I have left.
The general was silent for a moment, then stepped forward, placed his hand on the man’s shoulder, and said:
