I counted it. There was four hundred and fifty dollars in the roll.
“Where’d you get it?” I asked.
“Oh, I had it in my purse. Remember, I had the roll when Pug and I came to a parting of the ways.”
I put the money in my pocket. I didn’t say anything about having seen her in. the casino.
After dinner we drove uptown and took in an early movie. Louie seemed to be feeling very much himself. Helen didn’t talk much. She had the quiet of calm contentment about her.
On the way home, she sang little snatches of popular tunes, and when we arrived at the cabin, had us stop to stand outside the door and look up at the stars. She said suddenly, “I know, of course, it’s going to end. I’m afraid it’s going to end soon, but it’s grand while it’s lasting, isn’t it, Louie?”
Louie retorted, “Are you asking me? You know the way we’re getting along, it seems like we all belong to the same lodge.”
We laughed then and went inside.
I waited until Helen was in the shower, getting ready for bed, then said, “I think I’d better send a telegram, Louie. I’m going to run back uptown. Don’t wait up for me, and tell Helen it may be an hour or so because I have to wait for a reply.”
I made my voice sound casual, and it registered with Louie.