"At our age, we have to watch the ticker," Ted warned him. "What are you drinking?"
Henri stared at his nearly-empty glass. "Scotch—I—ah—"
"Sure thing. I'll have one with you." Ted went over to the liquor cabinet.
When he returned, with the pair of drinks, Ann was in the room. Ann said, "I could use one, myself."
Some of Henri's poise was back and all of his smile. "Mix her a strong one, Teddy boy. Build up her resistance."
Hamburger, Ann had called it, but it was like ambrosia. The talk flowed around Ted; food, fashion, furniture, flowers.
Henri was witty and articulate. Ann appreciative and responsive. Ted present.
All the things he'd read, and nothing to say. Mann he'd read, and Joyce. Shakespeare and Spinoza, Emerson, Shelley and....
And there was a lull momentarily in the conversation.
Ted said quickly, "I batted .314 at Houston. That's in the Texas League."