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Show page 60 pool cue in hand, peeved x^ith the interruption. "What you want, Bessie? I'm busy." The woman spoke a l l in a rush, "Ralph, we've got to find another place, anywhere. I x<7on't stay where we are another nxght. The man looked at the woman as though she were a child. He x-7as handsome in a sleek, racy way, with coal black hair, sx»7arthy complexion, and dark eyes. His impassiveness infuriated the woman. "Well, say something. Don't stand there like a fool." "All r i g h t , " he said, f i n a l l y . "Youfound another place?" "No, I haven't." The man made an impatient gesture with his pool cue. "Why come barging down here breaking up my game?" he said. "I'm s a t i s f i e d where we a r e ." "You always a r e , " said the woman, "when the landlady is under t h i r t y ." The man smiled coldly. "That's i t , jealousy of the landlady." "You think I can't see?" The woman's x«7ords were pent up, s p i t e f u l . They caused the man to turn toward the poolroom. "Okay," he called back. "Find another place. But don't chase me around town." John Henson had heard it a l l , interest in strangers being what • i t is in our town. The woman caught him looking at her. On an impulse not altogether mercenary, he stepped up and asked, |
