“What way?”
“So—so queer.”
He gave a short laugh.
She clapped a hand over her mouth, stared at him, eyes swimming, then fled up the steps.
The following night Mr. Patterson was late for the first time. He swung round the corner just as Sallie appeared. She was wearing a violet suit, fluffy lace collar and cuffs, and a hat of violets. They made her eyes the same color. During a night of tearful and bewildered groping she had arrived at a conclusion. Jimmie hadn’t liked the way she looked! He wasn’t pleased with her dress or hat or something. Maybe he didn’t think they were becoming and hadn’t wanted to hurt her feelings. A lighter color, perhaps, something gayer! [273] ]After which she rolled over with relief, stole a few hours’ sleep, and later embarked on another shopping tour.
But the violet, apparently, made no more satisfactory impression than the blue. He handed her almost roughly into the car. They shot like a cannon ball into the darkness.
There were no stars. The moon had reached the full, dwindled and slipped round to smile upon the other side of the world.
Sallie gulped, groped for a fitting subject and finally burst out:
“Jimmie, tell me about yourself. You never have told me much.”
“Nothing to tell.”