Ma Tamby tittered. "Not unless you love the song of the subway. The license is a man's job." Twisting, she giggled at Paliser. "But not hard labour, he, he!"
"A life-term, though," he answered and added: "I'll go at once."
That settled it for Cassy. A chair stretched its arms to her. She sat down.
Wildly the fat woman gesticulated. "Dearie, no! But how it gets me! As true as gospel I dreamed so much about it that it kept me awake. I do believe I have a pint of champy. Shall I fetch it? I must."
Coldly Cassy considered her. "Don't. You'll only get tight."
Paliser, making for the door, called back: "Save a drop for me."
"May the Lord forgive me," sighed the fat woman. "I was that flustered I forgot to congratulate him. But how it takes me back! Dearie, I too was young! I too have loved! Ah, gioventu primavera della vita! Ah, l'amore! Ah! Ah!"
"You make me sick," said Cassy.
"Dearie——"
"Be quiet. My father won't like it and I can't lie to him about it. But I shall need some things and you will have to go for them. What will you tell him?"