"Yes, we weren't exclusive out on the road. Didn't we meet funny people though! Oh, somehow that 'funny people' sounds familiar. But—— What fun that morning was at—Pellago, was it? Heavens, I'm forgetting those beastly little towns already—that place where we hazed the poor landlady who overcharged me."
"Yes." He was thinking of how much Claire would forget, now. "Yes. We certainly fixed her, all right. Uh—did you get the storage check for your car?"
"Oh yes, thank you. So nice of you to bother with it."
"Oh, nothing at all, nothing—— Nothing at all. Uh—— Do you like Seattle?"
"Oh yes. Such views—the mountains—— Do you like it?"
"Oh yes. Always wanted to see the sea."
"Yes, and—— Such a well-built town."
"Yes, and—— They must do a lot of business here."
"Yes, they—— Oh yes, I do like Seat——"
He had darted from his chair, brushed by the tea-wagon, ignoring its rattle and the perilous tipping of cups. He put his hand on her shoulder, snorted, "Look here. We're both sparring for time. Stop it. It's—it's all right, Claire. I want you to like me, but I'm not—I'm not like that woman you were telling about that's trying to butt in. I know, Lord I know so well what you're thinking! You're thinking I'm not up to the people you've been seeing last couple of days—not up to 'em yet, anyway. Well—— We'll be good friends."