New Britain herald., 1923-04-26
The Ulnmatum Dicky Gave Mndgc

lHt ithhs SHN'
 Dicky was the first to speak after the slam of the outside apartment door had signalod the departure of our queer visitors.
 Well, this settles it ,' he said with a note of fnality in his tone We're going to move, pronto,"
 Why" ! inquired. hanaly enough, for knew very well that the mid night visit Of our bizarre ncighbors had been tho last fatal item In his mounting indictment of thc place.
 Why" he exploded angrily, 'tf you cant sec why, you're more stub bornly set on this blasted hole than a goat is on his favorite tomato can. It would be bad enough fl we had it all by ourselves, but to have that yawping. bleatinG moron and that rat eyed crook living, in the rear apart ment thrust into our faces all tine time-no, thank you, not for mine You may yesrn to be shown the ropes of Eighth avenue delicatessen shops by Petey Marks wife, but the without struggle"
 You know I only said that so she wouldn't feel offended" l defended myself a bit mendaciously l am afraid, for there is an odd gypsy-like strain in mo which delights in study ing the bizarre in both places and people, and I could see how an ex- cursion in the company Of the fam boyant Mrs. Marks might afford both interest and amusement. T really didn't mean to go"
 "No-o-o?" Dicky drawled, with an infection and glance that made me flush resentfully.
 "Nherc Do We Go From Here?"
 Well, whether you did or didn't, makes no matter by me''--he spread his hands in an exaggerated gesture. For me this place is no bizness."
 My curiosity had been excited by a certain phrase he had used and it now conquered my resentment
 Why did you call Mir Marks a 'rat-eyed crook just now?" I asked
 Because l don't know of any bet ter term describing him." he returned curtly, and then he gave me shrewd appraising glance.
 "For all your worldly wisdom, and your courses in government sleuthing under Lii, you're a rather naive baby do you know it?" he asked.
 'I don't know any such thing" I returned spiritedly. You haven't the slightest idea what my own notion of Mir. Marks is, It may coincide with your view exactly, for all you know, 1,,,t l,1 your very peculiar expression, you immediately jumped to the conclusion that because of my naiyete and ignor- ance of the world, had determined to champion the integrity of these queer neighbors of-----''
 Against all corners, catch as catch can. eh?" he queried, laughinsly, tweaking my ear, No, I don't think they fascinated you quite that much, old dear But enough of them. They're far from being my idea of pleasant post-theater topic. What I want to know is, where do we go from here?"
 Nadgc Controls Helself
 What do you mean?" I parried, i although I understood him only too we'll
 Are yon being dense on purpose 2" he asked with the suspicion of sheer.
 ! caught back the angry retort on my lips with such fierce swiftness that q tiny 1eck of blood marked 1 where had pressed my teeth against them. Then I turned away from Dicky and pretended to busy myself | with the fastenings of my gown. It was impossible for me to speak with out flying out angrily at him, and i wanted to avoid that humilating ex- hibition Of temper if it could pos sibly be done.
 Which role are we going to have now-the patient-G -Griselda martyr, or the too -proud-to- fight onn7" Dicky's tone was maddening in it's arrogant | drawl. and I, who know his every in 1 flection, realized that he was fast working himself up into one of his rages. But I set my teeth and made no reply. My lips should be guiltless of any provocative words until en- durance ceased to be virtue. prom ised myself grinlly.
 reckoned, however. without re- memhering Dicky's power of blisteriug speech. He waited for second for ! any possible reply from mo before again bursting out in q quick angry | tone:
 Arc e-fagots- -jnst-lighting, he