Page:Manhattan Transfer (John Dos Passos, 1925).djvu/94

This page has been validated.
82
Manhattan Transfer

"And when we used to go cruising on the Mary Stuart."

"Oh tell me about that muddy."

There was a knock. "Come." The spikyhaired waiter put his head in the door.

"Can I clear mum?"

"Yes and bring me some fruit salad and see that the fruit is fresh cut. . . . Things are wretched this evening."

Puffing, the waiter was piling dishes on the tray. "I'm sorry mum," he puffed.

"All right, I know it's not your fault waiter. . . . What'll you have Jimmy?"

"May I have a meringue glacé muddy?"

"All right if you'll be very good."

"Yea," Jimmy let out a yell.

"Darling you mustn't shout like that at table."

"But we dont mind when there are just the two of us. . . . Hooray meringue glacé."

"James a gentleman always behaves the same way whether he's in his own home or in the wilds of Africa."

"Gee I wish we were in the wilds of Africa."

"I'd be terrified, dear."

'I'd shout like that and scare away all the lions and tigers. . . . Yes I would."

The waiter came back with two plates on the tray. "I'm sorry mum but meringue glacé's all out. . . . I brought the young gentleman chocolate icecream instead."

"Oh mother."

"Never mind dear. . . . It would have been too rich anyway. . . . You eat that and I'll let you run out after dinner and buy some candy."

"Oh goody."

"But dont eat the icecream too fast or you'll have colly-wobbles."

"I'm all through."

"You bolted it you little wretch. . . . Put on your rubbers honey."

"But it's not raining at all."

"Do as mother wants you dear. . . . And please dont