The Studs Lonigan Trilogy - James T. Farrell [202]
“And how are you?” Perc Byrnnes said with a soft, solicitous discomfort.
“I’m rarin’, Perc.”
The Corrigan girl asked if he were Loretta Lonigan’s brother. He nodded. She said she knew Loretta.
“I must congratulate you the way your sorority has put the dance over. It’s the most successful dance of the year,” the Corrigan girl said to Catherine Marie.
Studs looked quickly at Byrnnes, and then back at the Corrigan girl.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Catherine Marie Boylan said.
He was glad when the music started up again. All he wished now was that he was drunk with Slug and the boys and that they were all here. He had to smile at what they’d do.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” he said, clutching her tightly. He had collided with a couple, and she’d almost been knocked off her pins.
“It was my fault,” she said, laughing.
Returning to the lounge, he unobtrusively wiped his perspiring face. He wondered how in the name of Jumping Jesus Christ a regular guy like Dan could stand all this crap. Dan excused himself and said he’d see Studs later. He and Catherine Marie walked off. Studs watched them pause to speak with that Byrnnes clown.
During the next dance, Lucy told him that Dan was going steady with Catherine Marie. Her father was a broker on La Salle Street, and she rated. She was awfully sweet, but young, and in Loretta’s class at high school. Dan and she were awfully attached. It made him wish that people would be saying Studs Lonigan and Lucy Scanlan were awfully attached to each other. At the intermission between pieces, they were joined by Phil and Loretta. Phil adopted an air of equality in greeting Studs, and asking him how he liked the dance. Studs ignored Phil and told Fritzie she looked nice. The music saved Studs’ patience. After the dance, Fran and Carroll Dowson joined them in the lounge. Harold Dowson came up. He introduced his girl, a pugnosed thing named Gertrude O’Reilley. She was the niece of Joe O’Reilley, the lawyer whom Studs’ old man admired so much. Fran stood watching him with studied approval. He didn’t like it.
“You’re comporting yourself fine. I’m proud of you. I never knew it was in you,” Fran said, dancing the next one with him.
“Yeah.”
“Now don’t get nasty. I’m only telling you what’s true. All the girls in my chapter have been saying nice things about you.”
They were noticing him! He hoped Fran would tell that to Lucy.
“And you’re dancing well. Only there’s one thing. Please be careful about the way you acknowledge introductions.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Now please don’t get bull-headed,” she said.
He frowned sullenly. She accused him of trying to disgrace her on the floor.
“Cut it out,” he said.
“Won’t you please speak more loudly. The orchestra leader didn’t hear you,” she said.
“Well, I didn’t ask you for any opinions.”
“You’re simply incorrigible.”
In the lounge again he stood in a chattering crowd, feeling useless. Lucy whispered that she was having the next one with Frank Dolan, who was stagging it. He watched Lucy walk off with Frank Dolan, a big broad-shouldered guy. He might be big, but, well, Studs Lonigan wasn’t afraid of him. He could see himself whittling the big fake down to his own size.
“Jesus, how come you’re here?” asked Fat Malloy with contagious good fellowship.
“My sister talked me into it.”
“That’s right. It’s her sorority.”
“Say, do those bastards call this a good time?” asked Studs.
“Well, it is in a way. I mean there’s all kinds of fine girls, and it’s swell. Most of the broads rate high, and I don’t mean maybe.”
“Well, Fat, I don’t like most of the guys around here. They’re fakes.”
“A lot of them are. There’s one guy here named Perc Byrnnes, and he’s the biggest fake in the joint. He’s got dough and his old man lets him have a big Lincoln, so he thinks he’s the reincarnation of Jesus Christ!”
“I met him.”
“Well, I’m gunning for that boy. The first time he cracks wise to me, I’m just going to up