Young Lonigan - James T. Farrell [361]
“Wouldn’t this make him sore?” asked Burke, and it led Studs to think, pleased, that he was going to tamper with another man’s woman, put something over on the poor sap.
“What he doesn’t know will be no skin off of his ears. I got to have money, that’s all there is to it. I’ve never done a thing like this before, and I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t need the money right away.”
“You mean that all your experience has been with George?” asked Cohen.
She looked angrily at him.
“I know it’s none of my business. But you know, it’s just in such things that variety adds to the spice of life, and you look to me to be smart enough to have learned that.”
“I keep my own secrets,” she smiled.
“I can see that. You look smart to me, girlie,” he said unctuously.
“I keep my own secrets. But even so, I’ve never had a secret like this one to keep before,” she said, slipping her arm through Cohen’s, and Studs, keeping pace with her, jealously thought that he was just a goofy-looking kike and she was making up to him; he quickly took her other arm.
“Me neither, sister. I ain’t never done this before, either. But you know, I’m a charitable guy, and I couldn’t resist helping you out. When I first got into the joint and saw you, I said to myself, there’s a little sister I like and I don’t mean maybe.”
“The same goes for me.”
“Thank you,” she said sarcastically, freeing herself from their arms.
“But why all the temperament? A minute ago we were getting along swimming, and now you’re ready to fly off the handle. This little business is natural, isn’t it? If you didn’t have the stuff, we wouldn’t have bitten on this proposition, would we? I got a wife myself, and I like her. She’s swell, and I don’t want any other wife. But a pleasant little vacation, you know. You got your man, and know that all the time together it isn’t so good. A little change and you can compare, see differences. It’s like discovering new tricks and perfecting your own technique.”
“I hope George doesn’t try your tactics of vacationing,” she laughed.
“With a little lady like you, maybe he shouldn’t. I’ll bet you keep him toeing the mark,” Coombs said, stuttering as he butted into the conversation.
“I’ll try and show you boys whether or not I’m able to make it worth while for my old man to be a one-woman man,” she said, winking lasciviously.
“Well, I’m getting anxious. How much further have we got to go?” said Cohen.
“Oh, tell me how long must I wait? Can I have it now or must I hesitate?” Studs sing-songed.
“I live on the second floor of the yellow brick apartment house right down here. Come up, one by one, and give me a few minutes start. I have a gabby old crowd for neighbors, and what they don’t know won’t hurt them.”
“Looks like it’s going to be a good little piece,” Burke said while they watched her cross the street and trip on to her flat.
“What you say, Lonigan?” Coombs asked, grinning.
“She’s built for a bed,” Studs said, pleased that they smiled at his crack.
“I li-like her,” Coombs said seriously.
“I’ve been watching her around the joint for a couple of weeks now. If you lads ask me, I’d say she doesn’t get enough from George. Looks to me like she’s built for endurance. So this is our chance, boys. There’s smouldering passion in every inch of that dame’s chassis, and why let it smoulder. Four good men and true, well, we ought to give her enough.”
“Say, Cohen, I think you’re right,” Coombs said.
“I’m ready,” said Studs.
“Them’s my sentiments. I’m ready to face the test,” said Burke.
“Well, somebody s-start off and go up,” Coombs said.
“We’re to go up and wait and when we all get there fix up our turns, huh?” asked Burke.