“Not so hot.”
“No? What’s wrong?”
“I started out last night to show a tourist the town.”
“You look as fresh as a daisy.”
“I feel as though someone had pulled my petals off to see whether she loves me or loves me not.”
“Don’t feel badly about it. Perhaps the answer was that she really loves you.”
I didn’t have any answer for that, so I tore open the telegram.
It read: Silkwear Importation Company. Send five dozen pair express collect size ten and one-half, color four your chart.
The telegram was signed, Bertha Cool, and the address given was that of the agency.
The letter was in a tinted square envelope. The stationery inside matched it. There was a faint scent. The postmark on the envelope was Shreveport, Louisiana. The letter bore the date line, Shreveport. It read simply, Send me six pair of your hose; size eight and one-half, color number five according to your chart.