Just by grace of God the only light in the place was what came in from the bedroom, so Ben really couldn’t tell exactly what he was seeing. He stood there stupidly staring at us for a minute or so, then the Captain says, “Where’s your sidekicker, Ben?” And Ben was so flustered, he just said “’Scuse me, Captain—I’ll go find him.” And out he went, closing the door behind him.
He didn’t find me, however, and when he came back an hour later, I was still there. He looked rather funny at me but started in to kid the Captain about his “lovin’ party” saying, “Ya oughta lock yer door when ya’re plannin’ anything like that, Captain! The broad’s husband might walk in on ya, ya know.”
I guess the Captain thought we’d better treat him well, under the circumstances, for he hauled out a bottle and three glasses and we had several shots of refreshment.
Finally Ben recalled that he had been looking for me. “Where the hell you been, Leony?” he demanded.
“I had some errands to do,” I replied. “And I figured I’d meet you here anyway.”
“Did ya see the mam’selle the Captain had?” he winked at me behind his hand.
“No—guess she left before I showed up,” I said.
“She usually does,” said the Captain, with a laugh.
Well, after a couple of drinks, Ben asked the Captain if he wanted to hear the new songs he’d just learned, and when nobody offered any objections he entertained us for half an hour bellowing out those barbaric ballads, while the Captain kept time for him by clicking a silver pocket-piece against a wine bottle.... There was no getting rid of the big boy that night.... And we were no nearer getting married!
—5—