"Whiskey, and lots of it, Curley," answered Ev.
"Say, for cripes sake," said Pearl under her breath, "who is that kid? Jees, he's cute. I've been in here several times, and every time I've seen him, I get all worked up over him."
"Cool thyself, Sister, it will doith thee no good to workith thyself into a lather about him. The old jane who owns this joint—well, her daughter married him. That's why he is working here, and is true to the wife, maybe not because he wants to be, but because he'd better be, or else lose a certain section of his anatomy which would cause him to be of no further use to anyone—ssshhh—here he comes with the drinks, I'll tell you more later. How is your wife, Curley?" smiled Ev.
"She's fine," answered Curley, as he went to wait on other customers.
"Well, as I was saying—the old jane who owns this place is Grace Valdez—no, she ain't Mex, but when she came down here about ten years ago she married one, in order to become a Mex citizen, so she could run a chain of hook-shops without any bother from the Mex government. Grace, at one time, was the biggest Madam in Denver, Colorado—but she's a good scout. If you're in a jam and she likes you, she can do you a lot of good; in fact, she can keep any girl out of this town that she don't like. I'll introduce you to her tonight, if she comes around. That's why I'm putting you hep—don't go on the make for the Son-in-Law. Hey, Curley, give me and Pearl another whiskey."
"O. K. Ev, drinks coming up."
"Don't be funny, Ev. I made five bucks off him yesterday afternoon."
"Oh, Jees—" exclaimed Evelyn, with her eyes bulging, "Well, for the love of your own soul, don't let on to any of these other hookers, as they are sure to run to Grace with it, and Hell would break loose in a big way—but—I'm curious, is—I mean—is,—well,—how the Hell is his bed manners? I'm curious to know if the wife is getting a break, considering all the fun her Mother has had."
"Oh, Ev, he's—well—"
"Ssshh, pipe down, here comes Grace now. Hello, Grace, dear, how are you?" smiled Evelyn sweetly, "I got a friend here who is just dying to meet you, Gracie, dear."