“Oh, it’s all right by him,” she said. “Parker understands that you’re connected with the establishment.”
“Oh,” Parker said, as though that explained a lot, and instantly began to smile. “Do come along, Smith, and bring us luck.”
I strolled over to the roulette table with her.
She started playing with silver dollars — and losing. Parker didn’t seem inclined to stake her. When she’d lost her money, she pouted a little, and he finally got five dollars in twenty-five-cent chips and let her play those.
When he had moved around nearer the foot of the table, and she had edged closer to me, she suddenly turned and again let her eyes bore into mine. “Slip me two hundred dollars under the table,” she ordered.
I gave her the stony stare.
“Come on, come on,” she said in a fast undertone. “Don’t act dumb, and don’t stall. Either come through, or else.”
I managed a yawn.
She could have cried she was so disappointed. She slammed the chips down on the board and lost them. When they were gone, I slipped a dollar into her palm. “That’s the extent of my donation, kid,” I said, “and it’s lucky. Play it on the double O.”
She put it on the double O and won straight up.