He carried his drink into the bedroom, set it down on the dressing-table, pulled off his shirt and took a new one from a drawer.
What was her telephone number?
He closed his eyes while he tried to think, and discovered he had drunk more whisky than he had thought.
Riverside 33344.
Everything depends on her voice he said to himself and what she says. If she sounds awful, I can always hang up. If no one answers, then I will cut the lawn. That’s a bet.
Buttoning up his shirt, he went into the lounge and dialled the number. He listened to the burr-burr-burr on the line, aware that his heart was now beating rapidly.
She’s not there, he said to himself after a few moments and he felt both relieved and disappointed. Well, this lets me out. I’ll skip it and cut the lawn; but he was reluctant to replace the receiver.
Then suddenly there was a click over the line, and his heart missed a beat and then raced.
A girl’s voice said, “Hello?”
“Is that Miss Carson?” he asked cautiously.