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Show 56 Jame roared, "You little snot, you shut your trap before I paste you onel I been helping Ma all day while you kept weasling out of your chores." Dodging Jame's upraised arm, Francis X sidled down the alley toward home. Jame leaned on the gate and sighed. "I don't know how I'm ever gonna make a man out of that little punk," he said. "What's going on with you two?" Subdued, Andy asked, "Do you have any idea what time it is, Jame?" "Pretty close to eight, I think. Why?" "In about half an hour, I have to go to the nickelodeon to pick up Kathleen." Jame straightened. "Oh, yeah. I heard about Karl's foot from ...someone. Cripes, Karl, first my head gets bashed, and now your foot gets fried. It's been a great summer." Jame paused, and then, as though he'were trying to keep it casual, said, "So you're going after Kathleen, huh, Andy?" "Yep. Mrs. Kerner said she'd pay me a nickel each time I go until Karl's foot gets better, but I don't want to take any money just for doing a friend a favor." Jame shifted his weight. "You know, ever since I heard about Karl, I been kinda thinkin'. How 'bout if I go and get Kathleen? Not just tonight, but every night. I mean, I don't want the money either. You keep it, Andy. I just want the chance to walk Kathleen home." Jame's unexpected request made Karl squirm, made him wonder |