Part 83 (2/2)
”Garry? Magnificent--every inch a man.”
”And you?”
”And I?” she asked a little puzzled.
”You're happy, aren't you?” said Snyder breathlessly.
”Oh--very happy--” She added with careful emphasis, ”Very, very happy!”
She slipped off her black fur jacket and was about to toss it on a chair when she stopped, folded it carefully and handed it to Snyder.
”I forgot. Seems like old times for us to be here and you waiting on me.” She took off her gloves, rolled them in a ball and tossed them to Snyder who placed them beside the coat on the bed. She added, seeking to give the conversation a casual note: ”You got my letter of course. It's all right? I can have the room for the afternoon--alone?”
”Sure.”
”I don't need to explain, do I?” she said rapidly. ”It's--”
”Shut up, honey,” said Snyder in the old rough manner, ”it's all yours.”
”No one will come?”
”No one ever comes.”
”And who's in that room--Winona's?” she asked, walking to the door and listening.
”She's gone from noon--teaching Fifth Avenue to walk like Hester Street.
Don't know her. She's new.”
She pa.s.sed the dressing-table, still crowded with her knickknacks and mementoes.
”Snyder,” she said surprised, ”you've kept all those crazy things.
Heavens, what didn't I used to do!” She sat down before the table, shaking her head at the strange reflection. ”Is it possible!” Then turning quickly she said, ”And you, Snyder? Tell me all about yourself.”
”Me? Sliding to fame on greased rails,” said Snyder pleased. ”Two hundred dollars a week now. Fact. Betty? She'll marry a dook yet!”
Dodo rose and taking from her purse a pendant, a diamond cross with a pearl in the center, held it out.
”It's for Betty--the first thing we bought. It's to bring her everything in the world.”
”My lord--” said Snyder aghast. ”Look here--that ain't right--it must have cost--”
”Hush, you funny old thing,” said Dodo, silencing her. ”Don't you know it never--never could cost enough!”
But before another word could be exchanged Miss Pim burst effusively into the room, ruffling like a motherly fowl.
”Dodo! Land's sake what a swell you've become!”
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