To Josie's credit it must be admitted that she made a brave attempt to
drink. But the mixture was undoubtedly flat, stale and unprofitable.
She sighed, put it back on the counter, and rose to the emergency.
"Mine's perfectly lovely"--with a ravishing smile--"but it's not very
sweet."
"I made them dry for you--thought you'd like 'em that way," he
stammered. "Perhaps you'd like 'em better if I put a collar on 'em?"
The chorus negatived this suggestion very promptly.
"Why don't you try a glass, Mr. Duncan?" Angie added with malice.
"I'm on the wagon--I mean, I don't drink at all," he said wretchedly;
and was deeply grateful for the diversion afforded by the entrance of a
third customer.
It was Tracey Tanner, as usual swollen with important tidings, as usual
propelling himself through the world at a heavy trot. It has always
been a source of wonderment to me how Tracey manages to keep so stout
with all the violent exercise he takes.
"Say, Angle," he twanged at sight of her, "I've been lookin' for you
everywhere. Did you hear that----"
He stopped instantaneously with open mouth as he saw Duncan behind the
counter; and openmouthed he remained while the young man came round and
advanced toward him, with a bland smirk accompanied by a professional
bow and rubbing of hands.
"May I have the pleasure of serving you, Mr. Tanner?"
"Huh?" bleated Tracey, dumbfounded.
"Is there anything you wish to purchase?"
A violent emotion stirred in Tracey. Sounds began to emanate from his
heaving chest. "N-n-no, ma'am!" he breathed explosively.
Duncan bowed again, his face expressionless. "Then will you be good
enough to excuse me?" He turned precisely and made his way back to the
counter.
As if released from some spell of strong enchantment by the movement,
Tracey swung on his heel and lunged for the door.
"What was it you wanted to ask me, Tracey?" Angie called after him.
As the boy disappeared at a hand-gallop his response floated back: "I
fergit."
"I'm afraid I must have frightened him?" Duncan said inquiringly.
"Oh, no, not at all," Josie reassured him; "he's just gone to tell
everybody you're here."
"Come, Josie, we've been here ever so long." Angie moved slowly toward
the door, but Josie inclined to linger.
"Don't hurry, I beg of you," Duncan interposed.
"Oh, we haven't hurried," she said with a gush of gratification that
startled the man. "You'll remember what I said about the choir, won't
you?"
He braced himself to take advantage of the opening. "I shall never
forget it," he said impressively.