And he wastoo far away to detect the character of
the handwriting.
He was determinedthat, girl or no girl, he would
not have one who was not pretty. Once she had passed,he dropped behind her, allowing
her to precede him by half a block.
I need aroom for some one who is sick and hasnt
much money, but its notso easy to find either. Oh, sure, I would like some roses,
she replied, turning into theplace. So I had todo something about one of
you.
Heknew he was bluffing and that I did, too. But
Clyde for some reason, intuition perhaps, had thethought that it might be from Esta.
At the sametime, the natural coquetry of her nature would not permit her
torelinquish him.
I wonderedwhy he didnt bring you around here
before.
He had heard Hegglund say that women likedfellows
who did things for them. She was paring potatoes and looked at him
curiously.
Yet, so quickly had she come and gonein the mass of
people that he had not been able to make sure.
The uncalculated honesty of it flattered her not a
little. So I had todo something about one of you. I could spend a lot more on you
than they could. Only, now he thought as hesaw her, she looked older.
My father thinks Im crazy, but moren that would do
meharm. She had the same height, and shewas moving along as Esta used to walk. Clyde
began to feel and look crushed at once.
Gee, I tell you I had a swift week of it last week.
Theres goin to be mostly dancing atKitties.
I could just barely see the customers moving
around. She had, as he hadnoticed of late, taken to going out regularly mornings
andafternoons or evenings.
An hedid all sorts of funny stuff with the dishes
and spoons.
When they werent,she didnt have anything more to do
with them. She did not answer him and he went to his room to changehis
clothes.
Thethought of being content with one not so
attractive almostnauseated him. It was quite noticeable, and yet nothing was said.
At the same time he was made intensely curious by thisevasive gesture. She
finallycompromised on that with celery and cauliflower.
She looked at Clyde approvingly and interestedly
enough. Why should his mother not wish him to see hercarrying a bag anywhere?