“A little. Yes, several times. In fact he said quite a lot that night after you'd gone.”
“What did he say?”
“He said he was not only going to go straight, but”—in her provocative, teasing voice—“he was going to make me go straight.”
“What's that? Tell me just what he said!” demanded Barney, his wrath suddenly flaring into furious jealousy.
Maggie told him in detail; in fact told him the scene in greater detail and with a greater length than had been the actuality. Also she censored the scene by omitting her own opposition to Larry's determination. She enjoyed playing with Barney, the exercise of the power she had over Barney's passions.
“And you stood for all that!” cried Barney. By this time they were far down town. “You listen to me, Maggie: What I said to Larry's face that night at the Duchess's still stands. I think he's yellow and has turned against his old pals. I tell you what, I'm going to watch that guy!”
“You won't find it hard to watch him, Barney. Larry never hides himself.”
“Oh, I'll watch him all right! And you, Maggie—why, you talk as though you liked that line of talk he gave you!”
“Larry talks well—and I did like it, rather.”
“See here! You're not falling for him? You're not going to let him make you go straight?”