“No. She won’t sign it. She thinks so long as she doesn’t sign the statement Maurer won’t go for her. It’s cockeyed reasoning, of course. Maurer is far more likely to try to get at her before she signs the statement than after she’s signed it. I’ve told her that until I’m blue in the face, but I guess she isn’t in a reasonable mood. The fact is she’s getting scared. She talks about waiting to the. I wish you would see her and see if you can put some sense into her. I can’t.”
Forest looked at Conrad quickly, then he leaned forward and tapped Conrad on his knee.
“Does this girl mean anything to you, Paul?”
“That’s pretty cute of you, sir,” Conrad said with a wry smile. “Well, you may as well know. She does mean a hell of a lot to me. I’ve asked her to marry me. I’m crazy about her.”
Forest nodded, took off his hat and wiped his forehead with his handkerchief.
“Is she as crazy about you?”
Conrad shook his head.
“I guess not. She’s not in the mood to think of me. She insists she has no future.”
Forest stared across the lawn at a tall, slim girl in a white swim-suit who was lying on her back, her eyes closed.
“There are plenty of pretty girls to choose from, Paul. I wouldn’t like you to make a mess of your life. Miss Coleman’s not exactly a happy choice.”