Page:Tales of the Jazz Age.djvu/157

The Young Man: I loathe these modern dances. Oh, Lois, I wish I could see you. Come to the window.

(There is a loud bang in the water-pipe and suddenly the flow starts from the open taps. Julie turns them off quickly)

The Young Man: (Puzzled) What on earth was that?

Julie: (Ingeniously) I heard something, too.

The Young Man: Sounded like running water.

Julie: Didn't it? Strange like it. As a matter of fact I was filling the gold-fish bowl.

The Young Man: (Still puzzled) What was that banging noise?

Julie: One of the fish snapping his golden jaws.

The Young Man: (With sudden resolution) Lois, I love you. I am not a mundane man but I am a forger——

Julie: (Interested at once) Oh, how fascinating.

The Young Man:—a forger ahead. Lois, I want you.

Julie: (Skeptically) Huh! What you really want is for the world to come to attention and stand there till you give "Rest!"

The Young Man: Lois I—Lois I—

(He stops as Lois opens the door, comes in, and bangs it behind her. She looks peevishly at Julie and then suddenly catches sight of the young man in the window)

Lois: (In horror) Mr. Calkins!

The Young Man: (Surprised) Why I thought you said you were wearing pinkish white!

(After one despairing stare Lois shrieks, throws up her hands in surrender, and sinks to the floor.)

The Young Man: (In great alarm) Good Lord! She's fainted! I'll be right in.