“It’s a perfectly horrible job, Mel, and nothing but woe can come out of it. Keeping pace with Tamea is a real chore.”
“Would that the gods had favored me with her father’s faith and friendship. Dan, that girl is as glorious as a tropical sunset.”
“I thought something had happened to you, Mel. So you’re a casualty, eh? And in the name of the late Jehoshaphat, what do you mean by coming to my house in dinner clothes? I have never suspected you of owning dinner clothes.”
“I am a very easy man to fit in ready-made clothing,” his guest replied. “I bought these after leaving your office tonight. Made up my mind you’d be dining more or less formally.”
“But my dear Mel, you might have known Tamea would not have considered you de trop if you had appeared for dinner in a suit of striped pajamas.”
“No, but Miss Morrison would.”
“What sorcery is this? I did not invite her until twenty minutes ago.”
Mellenger drank his cocktail slowly and thoughtfully and held out his glass for Sooey Wan’s further attention.
“I am not one of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not. I’m a fairly good judge of human nature, and I always judge the characters of men and women—particularly women—the moment the sample is submitted. Which reminds me that for the first time I suspect you of a failure to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”
“That’s a definite charge. State your specification.”