“No, I won’t.”
“Now, don’t go on like that. I said you’ll have everything, and I mean you’ll have everything.”
Sadie sat up stiffly. “Shall I tell you what? When I said I won’t, I mean I shan’t have what I want. I’ll have what you give me.”
Benny felt the blood mounting to his face. “Okay, if that’s the way you feel. You’ll have what I give youso what?”
“Nothing. It’s going on the same way as it’s been going on for the last six months. Do you know what that is?”
“All right. You tell me.”
“I’ll be here cooking your food every damn day of the week. I’ll be washing out your clothes when they want washing out, which is mighty often. We’ll be living in this great apartment, without any servant, so that you can impress your friends. We’ll be wondering every day how we are going to meet all the bills. I’ll be getting into bed with you and waiting to see if you’re too drunk, or if you’re too tired. Then I’ll be lying awake half the night wondering if anything’s gone wrong while you’re sleeping. Then I’ll be so woke up that I shan’t ever get to sleep until it’s time to get your food again. That’s what.”
Benny said between his teeth, “Would you do something for me? Somethin’ for me right now?”
Sadie looked at him. “Go on,” she said.
“Will you shut up? Will you shut up before you say something that nothin’ you’ll ever say after can make any difference?”