Part 26 (1/2)
”Why, girl, I wouldn't have you eatin' yourself thisaway. The first ten-thou' high-water mark we hit I'm quits. How's that?”
”Ten thousand! Oh, Blutch, we--”
”What's ten thou', girl! I made the Hot Springs haul with a twenty-dollar start. If you ain't careful, we'll be buyin' that chicken-farm next week.
That's what can happen to my girl if she starts something with her hubby.”
Suddenly Mrs. Connors crumpled in a heap upon the lacy pillows, pink sequins heaving.
”Why, Babe--Babe, what is it? You're sick or something to-night, honey.” He lifted her to his arms, bent almost double over her.
”Nothin', Blutch, only--only I just never was so happy.”
”Lord!” said Blutch Connors. ”All these years, and I never knew anything was eatin' her.”
”I--I never was, Blutch.”
”Was what?”
”So--happy.”
”Lord bless my soul! The poor little thing was afraid to say it was a chicken-farm she wanted!”
He patted her constantly, his eyes somewhat glazy.
”Us two, Blutch, livin' regular.”
”You ain't all wrong, girl.”
”You home evenings, Blutch, regular like.”
”You poor little thing!”
”You'll play safe, Blutch? Play safe to win!”
”I wish I'd have went into the farmin' three years ago, Babe, the week I hauled down eleven thou'.”
”You was too fed up with luck then, Blutch. I knew better 'n to ask.”
”Lord bless my soul! and the poor little thing was afraid to say it was a chicken-farm she wanted!”
”Promise me, Blutch, you'll play 'em close--to win!”
”Al's openin' up his new rooms to-night. Me and Joe are goin' to play 'em fifty-fifty. It looks to me like a haul, Babe.”
”He's crooked, Blutch, I tell you.”
”No more 'n all of 'em are, Babe. Your eyes open and your pockets closed is my motto. What you got special against Joe? You mustn't dig up on a fellow, Babe.”
”I--. Why ain't he livin' in White Plains, where his wife and kids are?”