The Studs Lonigan Trilogy - James T. Farrell [139]
The street around him seemed gloomy, and he was gloomy too. He couldn’t get the thought of that dead Jew out of his mind. He didn’t feel so cocky. He felt now like he wanted something in life, and didn’t know what. That game and fight now, it had been swell. But there was something more he wanted than the glory of it, and he didn’t even know what it was. Funny that he kept coming back to thoughts like this.
IX
“Money’s pretty tight right now,” Lonigan said.
“I know, Paddy, I wouldn’t come to you if 1 could go anywheres else. I’d borrow on my insurance only I can’t, because I had to do that when Ann had appendicitis,” Lonigan’s brother, Joe the motorman, said.
“How old is Tommy?”
“Twenty,” Joe said deferentially.
“You say he stuck this guy up and spent the dough, and you got to make it good?”
Joe nodded.
“He can’t get off on first offense?”
“The Jew is sore, and threatens to press charges if he don’t get his money back. You know these Jews, always wanting their pound of flesh.”
“Joe, you should have watched him.”
“I tried, Paddy, but I was working every night on the cars. I did all I could, and it was a great sacrifice sending the boy to high school. But now, Paddy, I think the kid has learned his lesson. And I can’t stand by and see my boy go to the pen. That would ruin his life sure.”
“A bad business! You should have watched him more. You know, Joe, when a boy goes wrong, it’s not only his fault. It’s also the father’s. I tell you that, Joe, because it’s the truth, and we got to face the truth even though it hurts.”
“I know, Paddy,” Joe said with almost miserable weakness.
Lonigan meditated. Joe waited. Both brothers looked alike, but their difference in economic status was written into their countenances. Lonigan was stouter, his face full. Joe had a frustrated, harassed look.
“All right, Joe. I can do it this time. But I can’t if anything happens again, because I got lots of expenses, with my two youngsters still in school.”
“Thanks, Paddy. The kid’s learned his lesson, I’m sure.”
“I’ll give you a check for a hundred bucks. But take it from me, what you ought to do is pound some sense into him with a horse whip.”
“Paddy, I think he’s learned his lesson... But how is your oldest boy?”
“Oh, Bill is a fine kid, working with me, learning the business, a clear-headed, ambitious lad. Bill is all right; he’s turned out fine, and I’m proud of him.”
CHAPTER NINE
I
“Now, William, please come to our December formal,” Fran said.
“Bill, I’d give anything to see you in soup-and-fish,” Lonigan said, boisterously spraying Martin with saliva as he laughed.
A blush spoiled Studs’ efforts to appear noncommittal.
“A lot of fellows you know, Dan Donoghue, Johnny O’Brien, scads of them will be there, even that awful brother of Geraldine Malloy’s,” Fran said.
“Now, Frances, you needn’t go bothering William. There’s time enough for him to be getting a girl. Nowadays, all a girl wants is to get a fellow and have him spend all his money on her. William works hard for his money, and he’ll have time enough for girls. He’s young yet,” the mother said.
“Mother, please don’t be so ridic,” Fran said.
“My goodness mercy, the language you use. I was saying to Mrs. Reilley only the other day, that the way our young ones are talking, we soon won’t be able to understand a word they say,” the mother said.
“Bill, don’t let ‘em fool you. I’ll bet you’ll be a real sheik, and have a winning way with the ladies. Chip off the old block, you’ll be. Now when I was young .. .”
“Father, please!” interrupted Fran in a tone nasty with boredom and disgust.
Lonigan looked hurt.
“Yes, to hear him talk! If I hadn’t married him, he’d still be a wallflower,” the mother said.
“Is that so?” said Lonigan.
“I’ll bet Martin will be a sheik and not need any encouragement when he gets a little older,” Loretta said.
“Aw, go hop in the bowl,” Martin said.