He forgot his promise and took a step towards her.
“I can make you happier than any other man possibly could. I’ve never cared for a woman in my life till I met you....”
“I wouldn’t marry you if you were the only man in the world––I––I don’t even like you....” Her voice shook with anger now. “My answer is no––no––no! I shall never change my mind if I live to be a hundred ...” she added vehemently. The words seemed forced from her by something in his eyes.
“You will,” said Micky calmly, though he felt anything but calm. “Women always do; but if you don’t feel like changing it just at this moment, will you please tell June I am here? I came to see her, and I’m tired of waiting....” 119 He turned away and went back to his seat on the arm of the big chair as if nothing had happened, but his hand shook when he tried to light a cigarette.
When June came back he was absently turning the pages of a magazine; she looked at him for a moment, then began to laugh.
“Micky! What in the world has happened to you lately? Do you always read a paper upside down?”
Micky started, looked down at the magazine, and said a bad word; then he laughed too, and flinging the magazine across the room got to his feet, stretching his long arms.
“Where’s Esther?” June demanded. “I asked her to stay and amuse you till I came back....”
“She did her best,” said Micky drily. “But I am afraid I bored her.”
June looked annoyed.