Martin had found Bella waiting for him in front of Riley’s. His anger had not had time to cool, and he demanded roughly:
“Well, what d’youse want?”
“I’d like to speak to you Martin,” timidly.
“Say, don’t youse begin to dog me up, d’ye hear! I won’t have it!”
“You didn’t meet me last night at Whalen’s dance like ye said ye would, and I thought somethin’ might be the matter.”
“Nothin’s the matter only I’m ’lectioneering for the old man, an’ I ain’t got no time to meet women.”
“S-h-h! Mart Kelly, I don’t thank you one bit for talkin’ to me like that! Anybody to hear ye would think I was common.”
He looked at her for a moment, and then laughed:
“Oh, I guess not,” said he.
“Well, don’t do it no more! I don’t want people talkin’ about me and giving me a shamed face. Ye know, yourself, they’d on’y be too ready. Oh, my Gawd,” suddenly, “here comes Mom!”