‘I didn’t say you weren’t.’ His voice came patiently.’ Now what was the other number?’
I got mad again. ‘There wasn’t any other number! What do you want to go pryin’ my grunts apart for, trying to plant this and that and make it mean what you think it ought to mean?’
He was silent.
‘I’m fifteen,’ I said defiantly, and then,’ I don’t like being only fifteen. You know that. I’m not trying to insist I’m fifteen.’
He just waited, still not saying anything.
I felt defeated. ‘The number was eight.’
‘So you’re eight. And your name?’
‘Gerry.’ I got up on one elbow, twisting my neck around so I could see him. He had his pipe apart and was sighting through the stem at the desk lamp. ‘Gerry, without no „uh!”‘
‘All right,’ he said mildly, making me feel real foolish.
I leaned back and closed my eyes.