The Ginger Man - J. P. Donleavy [76]
"Why?"
"He thought a great deal of himself. He was my boss"
"I see"
"And I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction."
"You did right, Miss Frost Now, tell me, Miss Frost, how old are you?"
"O, Mr. Dangerfield, I can't tell you that"
"O yes you can, Miss Frost."
"O I couldn't tell you. I just couldn't"
"Miss Frost. I'm your friend. Remember that Friend. You can tell me anything, anything at all. Least of all, your age. Now how old are you ? "
Sebastian reached over and covered Miss Frost's hand in her lap. Comfort in a moment of distress.
"O dear, Mr. Dangerfield, I'm thirty four"
"Excellent age. Best"
"How do you know?"
"Miss Frost, sometimes I feel fifty three. Seldom, but at times, I feel twenty. Like the days. Ever feel a Saturday on a Tuesday? Or a week of one Friday after another? Recently I've been seventy. But I remember thirty four as a fine age. Do you mind, Miss Frost, if I have another, quickly?"
"O,no. Do."
"Now, Miss Frost, let's get down to business. What do you want ? What do you want out of life, anyway?"
"Dear me, what a question."
"Answer me, now. Truthfully, Miss Frost"
"Well, your question covers so much ground. There are a great number of things I want out of life. Of course, as I've said, my own shop"
"Ah, you want money, Miss Frost Money is what you're after"
"I'd hardly put it that way"
"But that's what you'd like, isn't it?"
"Doesn't one work towards saving one's soul, too, Mr. Dangerfield?"
"People ingratiate with God. Think he can do something for them. O.K., Miss Frost, now what do you think of when you first get up in the morning ? "
Miss Frost was twisting her glass and watching it
"O just getting ready for work."
Miss Frost chuckled, a high throated one. And said she'd better go back because she had to be up early. Sebastian bought a Baby Powers. Whipped it into his pocket Banged the door for the bartender for a quick one for the road. He put his hand in the small of Miss Frost's back, guiding her, my dear ship, out the door. Don't foul the rudder, darling.
Back at the house.
"Mr. Dangerfield, would you like me to make you some coffee. I bought some today."
"Miss Frost, do you know, you would make someone a very fine wife."
"O Mr. Dangerfield."
"You would."
"O,ha,ha. O."
Miss Frost into the kitchen. Sebastian in the supine chair, bringing it up a few notches. Poured himself a drink. Cruelty's not the word, Marion. I made every effort I could to start our little family. Things weren't ideal, but I was willing to make the best of them. I want to get out and enjoy things too. I'm human. But Miss Frost has been very good to me. The way she moves around that stove. The flex of her rump isn't bad and a good strong developed leg coming out of her brown boot. A heavy hand but that's all right Heavy hands are sadness. Miss Frost has a rather good physique. Kind and youthful. See all the turns, cups and pits, fingers. Yum yum yummy. O aye, grip, fasten and feel. Go ahead. Good for you. I need help and a polite period of rest, of sleep, of peace, to eke out these few more weeks till I'm absolutely rotten rich.
"Miss Frost, let me pour you a little drink"
"Miss Frost, let "Just a little."
"Do you know, Miss Frost, it's a great comfort to have you here."
The blood was gorging her head. Miss Frost turned away.
"I really mean that, Miss Frost."
"I really mean that, Miss "I like being here."
"I must apologize for subjecting you to all this upset."
"I don't mind."
"I'd hate you to be unhappy here."
"I'm quite happy. I really am, Mr. Dangerfield. I think this is the nicest house I've been in yet. It's so free and easy."
"It's that, Miss Frost—it's certainly that."
"I like things to be free and easy."
"I agree, a good way. Free and easy. Easy and free—it's the way things ought to be, and I like things that way, Miss Frost. None of these binding things."
"Yes, I think so too."
Miss Frost brought out the