“Of course. The patron introduced me. I know her well. You might take to her, I think. This Arab is a little stupid. No doubt Josette is stupid, too; but she is very attractive in her way. If I had not learned too much when I was too young, I should like her myself.”
Maria stared after him as he went across the floor, and remained silent for a moment. Then she said: “He is very good, that friend of yours.”
Graham was not quite sure whether it was a statement, a question, or a feeble attempt to make conversation. He nodded. “Very good.”
She smiled. “He knows the proprietor well. If you desire it, he will ask Serge to let me go when you wish instead of when the place closes.”
He smiled as regretfully as he could. “I’m afraid, Maria, that I have to pack my luggage and catch a train in the morning.”
She smiled again. “It does not matter. But I specially like the Swedes. May I have some more brandy, Monsieur?”
“Of course.” He refilled her glass.
She drank half of it. “Do you like Mademoiselle Josette?”
“She dances very well.”
“She is very sympathetic. That is because she has a success. When people have a success they are sympathetic. José, nobody likes. He is a Spaniard from Morocco, and very jealous. They are all the same. I do not know how she stands him.”