I said I would, then to Cutler, “Can’t you force your wife to admit she was here? It would seem that she’d have to show all the details of where she was-if she claims the papers weren’t served.”
Cutler said, “That is not as easy as it sounds. My wife is inclined to be rather baffling and secretive. Well, thank you very much.”
He nodded to Goldring. They got up. Goldring gave a quick look around the apartment and started for the door. Cutler paused. “I don’t know how to thank you for your co-operation,” he said. “I realize, of course, that something which seems very grave and very important to me is a minor matter to a person who knows none of the parties. I certainly appreciate your courtesy.”
When the door had closed behind them, Bertha turned to me. “I like him,” she said.
I said, “Yes. He does have a pleasing voice, and—”
“Don’t be a damn fool,” Bertha said. “Not Cutler. Goldring.”
“Oh.”
“Cutler is a damn mealy-mouthed hypocrite,” Bertha announced, “No one who’s that polite can be sincere about it, and being insincere is just another way of being a damn hypocrite. Goldring is the one I like. He doesn’t beat around the bush with a lot of palaver.”
I tried imitating Goldring’s voice. “Dat’s right,” I said.
Bertha glared at me. “At times you can be the most exasperating little shrimp that ever wore out good shoe leather. Come on. Let’s call Hale. He should have reached New York by this time. At any rate, we can leave a call for him.”