don't want a contract; I 'm goin' to stay w'ere I am," Burls lowered himself into the armchair and nodded as if this reply did not in any way change the situation.
"Don't want it, eh? Got somethin' better?"
"We stay w'ere we are."
"Uh-huh? Well, I don't know but what you're wise. I was on'y int'rested in goin' on account o' Mil. This chorus girl life ain't exactly the right soil to bring up a girl like her, d' yuh think? That 's the way I feel about it anyway. I 'm kind o' soft about her." He looked up at the wall, smiling. "She 's a mighty fine girl, Milly is. I don't like to think o' her gettin' mixed up with any o' them Willies that hang aroun' the stage-door."
"I can see to that."
"Mebbe you 're right. But I been thinkin' now— She 'll be gettin' married, some day, won't she? She was talkin' about it las' night. An' I been thinkin', what 's the matter with givin' one of us a chanct—some one that 's in the bus'ness with you? You can't keep her like she was in a nunn'ry. She 'll get away from you, sure. That 's human nature. What 's the matter with givin' me a show?" He was talking now with the most evident earnestness. "I 'm soft on the girl. I like her—an' I don't know that she don't like me. If you 'll gi' me a leg up, I can make it."
Yost threw out his hands with a gesture of uncontrollable impatience. "Leave us alone! Leave us alone! Mind yer own bus'ness, will you? I can make
