Part 16 (2/2)
”I--I wanted it for tonight.”
”What?”
”I wanted it for my yoke.”
They turned into the dark aisle of a side street; the wind lurked around the corner to leap at them.
”Oh-h-h-h!”
He held tight to her arm.
”It's some night--ain't it, girlie?”
”I should say so!”
”Poor little kid!”
Eddie's voice was suddenly the lover's, full of that quality which is like unto the ting of a silver bell after the clapper is quiet.
”You're coming home to a good hot supper with me, Goldie--ain't you, Goldie? Addie'll like it.”
She withdrew her hand from the curve of his elbow.
”I can't, Eddie--not tonight. I--tell her I'm coming over real soon.”
”Oh!”
”It's sure cold, ain't it?”
”Goldie, can't you tell a fellow what's the matter? Can't you tell me why you been dodging me--us--for two weeks? Can't you tell a fellow--huh, Goldie?”
”Geewhillikins, Eddie! Ain't I told you it's nothing? There ain't a girl could be a better friend to Addie than me.”
”I know that, Goldie; but--”
”Didn't we work in the same office thick as peas for two whole years before her--accident--even before I knew she had a brother? Ain't I stuck to her right through--ain't I?”
”You know that ain't what I mean, Goldie. You been a swell friend to poor Addie, stayin' with her Sundays when you could be havin'
a swell time and all; but it's me I'm talking about, Goldie.
Sometimes--sometimes I--”
”Aw!”
”I've never talked straight out about it before, Goldie; but you--you remember the night--the night I rigged up like a Christmas tree, and you said I was all the ice-cream in my white pants--the night Addie was run over and they sent for me?”
”Will I ever forget it!”
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