"Look, Jack, the girl has enough trouble with the kids around here without—"
"I only want to talk to her."
"Yeah." His manner was openly belligerent. "I'll turn in your order."
He spun away. It was several minutes before I could catch him again. I was aware that some students nearby were staring at me, but I didn't care.
When Harry did come within earshot, I spoke quickly. "Harry, I was in an accident outside your place last night. Right in front. I think Lois might have seen it and I want to ask her a few questions. Now how about it? What time does she come on duty?"
He looked mollified though his manner was still brusque. "Six o'clock," he grunted. "She's on from six to midnight."
I frowned. Now that the possibility of her identifying the stranger in the back booth had occurred to me, I was nervous and impatient to talk to her. Six o'clock was a long way away. A lot of things could happen before six.
When my order finally came I leaned forward and spoke urgently to Harry. "I'd like to reach her as soon as possible," I said. "Do you have her phone number?"
The aggressive coldness hardened his face instantly. His eyes were small and their expression bleak.
"I don't set up dates with the help," he said. "Even for teachers. That'll be two dollars and a quarter," he added pointedly, jerking his head toward the thin sandwich and coffee.