With an opening like that I wasn’t going to act the village hick. “Because I’m crazy about you,” I said. “You’re the first girl I’ve met that I can look at and talk to without wondering if I could take you for a ride. You’re the first girl I’ve met who’s got everything and yet… and yet… oh, hell! I can’t explain it… but, you’ve got me jumping through hoops….”
This outburst startled her all right. She tried to struggle out of the chair.
“Now wait a minute,” I said hastily. “You asked me an’ I’ve told you. That doesn’t mean that you an’ I aren’t still on the level with each other. I don’t want you to think I’m just putting on an act. I’m not. I’m being straight with you, so for the love of Mike don’t start thinkin’ up wrong angles to this.”
She sank back into the chair. “Really, Mr. Mason…” she began.
“Listen, could you make it ‘Nick’? I won’t insist if you don’t feel you can, but it would tickle me to death.”
She laughed at me. “You’re crazy,” she said. “But you’re nice. Thank you for saying what you have said. I want someone who will tell me what to do. I think I’m very lucky to find you.”
Can you tie that? She thought she was lucky to find me! Now I ask you!
When I got over it, I said: “Okay, now suppose you tell me what it’s all about?”
She handed the glass back to me. “I don’t want any more.” Then she got out of the chair and took off her hat and coat. She was wearing a dark-green evening thing that fitted her like a snake-skin and spread out into a full skirt. I reckoned that cost plenty of money.
“May I have a cigarette?”