Young Lonigan - James T. Farrell [370]
“Bill?”
He walked self-consciously to the back, and he was struck by the pleasant sight of the dining room, the oval table set for two, the freshly baked chocolate cake flanked by two burning red candles. There were glasses of tomato juice cocktails before each plate, and the steak soaked with juicy gravy, the baked potatoes, and carrots and peas in a separate dish were already on the table.
“Now, dear, hurry up and let’s drink our tomato juice so that the rest of the supper doesn’t get cold.”
Smiling, they sat down and drank the tomato juice.
“Well, what do you say?”
“Nice.”
“Is that all?”
“Very nice.”
“Hurry up, now, you serve the meat.”
He cut two large slices of steak with an air of profound seriousness, and laid one on each plate. She served the carrots and peas. He reached for a baked potato, sank butter into it, buttered a slice of bread.
“How does it taste?”
“Swell,” he answered with his mouth full.
“Is the steak seasoned enough?”
He nodded, still chewing, and during a brief silence he thought that anyway, he was grabbing himself off a girl who could cook.
“You’re not saying a lot about the supper I cooked for you?”
“I was just thinking how good it is.”
“You men, with your heavy compliments,” she smiled.
He returned the smile, chewing.
“Aren’t you glad now that you telephoned me and didn’t go on being such a silly goose?”
“I wasn’t silly . . .” he stopped short, determining not to let himself in for dumb baby talk, or even for a teasing argument, lest it lead to another serious row.
“Dear, you know, you did say nasty things to me the other night.”
“You didn’t seem to spare my feelings,” he said, immediately fearing that it was the wrong thing to have said.
“Your feelings. . . . You acted like your feelings were hurt. You just went ahead like a bull in a china shop, insulting me right and left.”
“I got sore, that’s all. I got a bad temper, and I lose it sometimes.”
“Don’t I know your temper?” she smiled.
“Of course, maybe I was too quick on the draw in some of the things I said, and I guess I really didn’t mean them. But gee, Kid, I couldn’t see the reason for making so much importance out of an unimportant quarrel.” He chewed into a slice of steak. “And listen, Kid, don’t you ever let anyone try to tell you that you can’t cook.”
“I’m glad you’re learning some things,” she said, continuing to eat.
He helped himself to more steak. She blew him a kiss.
“How is your mother and everyone?”
“Oh, all right ”
When they finished, she brought in the coffee percolator from the kitchen and set it on a pad. She poured coffee and pointed at the cake.
“I baked it.”
“Looks swell.”
“I hope it tastes as good as it looks. I’m worried about it. I’m afraid it’ll be too heavy.”
“It looks jake to me.”
She cut large pieces, carefully placing them on plates. The inside was golden yellow color, and Studs, watching her, playfully licked his lips, made extravagant faces, smiled at her boyishly.
“You’re a darling.”
“Swell,” he said with his first taste of the cake.
“No, I think it’s too heavy,” she said, her air almost professional.
“You’re a dandy cook, Kid, and don’t let anyone ever tell you anything previous.”
“You’re just trying to be nice to me and make up. Well, mister, I’m not going to let you off so easily. I’m going to put you through a long probation of good behavior.”
“And suppose it isn’t good,” he said, his eyes almost twinkling mischievously.
“You men, you’re so much like little children,” she said with a gay laugh.
“And, girls, you’re just old Father Experience herself,” he said, and she returned his smile.
“And now you’re going to play house with me and help wash the dishes,” she said after they finished their coffee and dessert.
His face suddenly flushed. He arose and walked over to her.
“I thought I better bring this back