The Studs Lonigan Trilogy - James T. Farrell [179]
“Why, George! Gee, George, I’m pleased to see you.”
“I wonder what museum those eggs came from,” Studs quietly said to Les.
“This one,” Les answered.
The clerk directed them to the office of the Membership Secretary. As they entered the office, the vacuous-looking, pale secretary rose and said:
“Good evening, fellows!”
He heartily shook hands with them. They took seats at his direction.
“You gentlemen, I presume, are desirous of becoming members.”
They nodded.
“Well, we’re always pleased to have the right kind of members. And were you intending to reside here with us?”
“No.”
“You’re Christians, I assume?”
“Irish,” said Les.
“And if I may ask, what is it that prompts you to join us?” Studs said for the use of the gym and swimming. He told them of the salutary effect of exercise and sports, and what fine fellows they had in the organization. They were given membership blanks to fill out, and their dough was collected. They were told they’d have to be examined by the doctor, but the doctor was not around. They went down to the lockers to undress for a swim.
“That guy’s clammy,” Studs said.
IV
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever gone swimming before at this time of the year,” Les said.
“I did,” Studs said.
“I always hate the first splash. Hitting the water for the first time makes me nervous.”
“All you have to do is just dive in and it’s over with.”
“I know, but thinking about it in advance makes me nervous.”
They came to the pool, and heard shouting and splashing. Inside, they paused, and looked around, seeing many naked guys. A tall fellow made a big splash as he dove from the. board at the deep end of the pool. Studs said that guy didn’t know how to dive... They moved around to the diving board. Studs said let’s go, walked to the end of the board, stood on his toes, rocked a moment, and leaped, turning over as he went down, arms first, making little splash.
“Nice one, Studs,” Les yelled.
Studs came up, puffed, and took a few strokes. He about-faced and swam the crawl stroke back to the pool edge. Holding to the railing with one hand, and splashing water with the other, he told Les it was swell, to come on in. Les said he would, he was just standing there a minute. Studs let go of the railing, and pushed himself away from the pool edge. He turned on his back and floated, the Pool sounds and muffling shouts sounding vague in his ears. He turned over and swam speedily to the shallow end of the pool, turned around without stopping, and returned swimming as swiftly as he could, but tiring with each stroke, so that his breath came more irregularly, and his arms seemed to grow heavy. He puffed noticeably, and his arms were leaden as he climbed up the ladder, and out of the pool.
“Go ahead. Make the leap, and it’s swell.”
“I will. I was just watching a minute.”
“That almost pooped me. I got to get better wind than I got,” Studs said.
He patted the fat around his belly.
“This has to come off.”
“There isn’t much there.”
“It’s more than there should be.”
A big splash was made, and water was thrown up against them.
“Why don’t that bastard learn how before he starts diving. He’s like Moses parting the waters,” Studs said.
“You’re a good swimmer,” Les said.
“I used to swim a lot as a kid.”
“So did I, but you’re better than I am,” Les said.
“Well, here goes again. Coming?”
“All right.”
Studs ran off the board, and let go, again doing a neat dive. Les followed, diving more awkwardly, splashing heavily.
“Nice,” Les yelled, coming up, and swimming alongside of Studs.
“Let’s race,” Studs said.
“You can beat me.”
“Oh, come on, anyway.”
They raced, Studs let Les gain, then, with full confidence, he took even powerful strokes to draw alongside, and then ahead of, him. They stood up in the shallow water.
“I’m glad I came.”
“It’s good,” Studs said, shaking his head.
“Race back?” he added.
“What’s the use. You beat me.”
Studs turned, jogged out to the deeper water as he moved, done, swam under water, and came up near the middle of the pool. He turned and saw