Appointment in Samarra - John O'Hara [61]
I happen to know she doesn t, said Julian. Well, she does, said Carter. Carter, sit down before there s an ugly scene, said Julian. Carter hesitated, and then sat down. All right, he said, but only for a minute. Ju, you ve got to
Did you all meet my friend Mr. Davis? said Julian. Yes.
Yes.
Yes, they met me, said Carter. So they did, said Julian. Well, let s talk about something else. Books. Uh, Miss Holman, have you read The Water Gipsies?
No, I don t believe I have, said Helene. What is it about?
I haven t the faintest idea, said Julian. I got it for Christmas, or rather a member of my family did.
A member of your family, said Carter. Yes, a member of my family, said Julian. My wife, Miss Holman. Mr. Davis, this is Mr. Davis right here, he gave my wife The Water Gipsies for Christmas. What did you give me, pal?
You know what I gave you, said Carter. Of course I do, and I m a bastard for not remembering it. Julian leaned forward to explain to Helene and Al: Mr. Davis gave me a tie, from Finchley s. All the way from Finchley s. Do you remember which tie you gave me, Carter?
Sure I do, said Carter. I ll bet you five dollars you don t, said Julian. Al, you hold stakes. Here s my five. Is it a bet, Carter?
I don t want to take your money, said Carter. Oh, yes you do. Oh, yes you do. Put up your five bucks. There, Al. Now. How can we prove it? said Julian. Oh, I have an idea. You tell me what kind of tie it was, and then go over to Caroline and repeat the description of the tie, see? And if you’re right she’ll shake her head yes, and if you’re wrong she ll
She’ll shake her head no, said Carter. Okay. He got up and went over to the table. Do you want to dance some more? said Julian. Don t you want to wait till your friend proves who won the bet?
The hell with him. I just did that to get rid of him, said Julian. But you lose five bucks, said Helene. Yeah, you lose five bucks, said Al. It s worth it, said Julian. I got rid of him, didn’t I? Come on, let s dance.
Check and double check, said Helene. They ignored Al completely and went to the dance floor. Is that your wife? said Helene. Which one do you mean? said Julian. Oh, I know Kitty Hofman, said Helene. Well, my wife is the other girl, yes, said Julian. You’re a swell dancer, or have I said that before?
No, you didn’t say it before. You’re not so bad yourself, Mr. English.
Oh, call me Malcolm.
Is that your name? Malcolm? I thought he oh, you’re giving me the razz. Okay.
No, I m sorry. My name is Julian. Call me Julian.
They said no more until the music stopped, and as they stood there, Julian applauding and Helene standing with her hands folded in front of her, he suddenly said: Are you in love with any person?
Isn’t that a personal question? she said. Of course it is. Are you?
What makes you ask that all of a sudden? she said. I wanted to know. I the music continued. I wanted to ask you to go out with me. Will you?
When do you mean? Now?
Yes.
It s awful cold out, she said. But you will? he said. I don t know, she said. I have a room here.
No, I want to go outside. Out in the car.
Well, maybe that d be better. We can t stay long. I have to sing again in about a half an hour. Oh, I better not go. Your wife will see us, and so will Al.
Will you go? he said. Yes, she said. They glided to the edge of the floor and broke into a walk and disappeared. Three persons, over and above all the others in the big room, saw them go. Three persons: Caroline, Al Grecco, Foxie Lebrix. In a little while Julian fell asleep in the car, and Helene went back to the house by herself. It was long after three when Julian felt himself being shaken and came slowly half awake. Wha ? he said. Don t wake him up, someone said. We have to wake him up to put his coat on. Come on, Ju. Snap to. It was Whit Hofman. Come on.
Here, let me, said Kitty Hofman. She started to get in the car. Get away, said her husband. Come on, Ju. Carter, get in the other side. Here, take his coat. I ll hold him up and you put his coat around him and the two of us can put his arms in the sleeves.