Tini threw her money on the counter and overtook the girls.
“Don’t see why you wanted a coke ’round here when we had plenty of free ones at the Canteen,” Mabel said.
“Oh, just an excuse to talk to the clerk. I wanted to ask him if Carl Benton had been here lately.”
“Carl Benton,” repeated Nancy as they almost ran toward their trucks. “You mean that fellow you dated back yonder?”
“Sure. He sells soda-fountain supplies. Said he came through here often.”
“Did that chap know him?” asked Nancy.
“Dumb bloke—no! He’s only had that job a few days.”
“Surely you’ve heard from him since he left,” said Mabel, not without an acid flavor in her tone.
“You bet! But I thought if he was around this way I might get a chance to see him again.”
“May as well put him out of your mind,” Nancy suggested.