“Why? Because she is. How the hell do I know why?”

“Yes, but I mean why do you say she is?”

He turned to her wearily. “Listen. I wrote her eight goddam letters. Eight. She didn’t answer one of ‘em.”

Ginnie hesitated. “Well, maybe she was busy.”

“Yeah. Busy. Busy as a little goddam beaver.”

“Do you have to swear so much?” Ginnie asked.

“Goddam right I do.”

Ginnie giggled. “How long did you know her, anyway?” she asked.

“Long enough.”

“Well, I mean did you ever phone her up or anything? I mean didn’t you ever phone her up or anything?”