New Britain herald., 1923-04-17
Why Roth Leila and Mndge Hesliatcd
 Al inc Restaurant Door


 There was no time from the minut
 l switched the conversation into afe
 channels than those which Dicky Ina,
 chosen, before the taxi had travorsec few blocks Of tho avenue, hal rounded q corner heading wostwarC and Alfred had knocked on tho glasi to attract the attention of the tax driver.
 So there was no need for mo to dis close the fact that ] did not know whithcr we were bound nor was il necessary so short was our journey 10 engage in much bantering chat with Alfred to hide the nervousness from which Leila was suffering and which she had begged me 10 mask so that Dicky would not see or Alfred comment upon it,
 There's the place :" Alfred's voice held the keen delight in his own pow CTS of orientation which ono who sometimes fails always feels when he Is right at last. That dimly-lighted place 10 the left. Go slow--you can't miss it--now stop"
 He swung the door of tho taA -cas, open, leaped out and leaned forward to help Leila and me alight.
 'All ashore that's going ashore" he carrolled. "Ah, Dicky- bird, per init me :"
 With the hilarious abandon the presence Of one seems to create in the other, Dicky minced his way out Of the cab. stumbled on an imagin- n fra in |, ,A landed safe on the sidewalk clutch ing Alfred's neck with wildly waving arms and incidentally nearly demol- ishing Alfreds hat with the cane he seemed to have forgotten was in his hand
 "Avast there, my more than hearty :" Alfred gasped. This is respectable party. I'll have you--"
 "A Den of Dclectablc Viands."
 Respectable 7" Dicky's fastidious nose wrinklcd in disgust which was not wholly assumed as he turned and scanned the front of the building which obviously had once housed saloon. but which now bore across its dingy windows the reassuriig words; "Bernardi's Restaurant"
 'Oh !' I exclaimed with keen In terest. So this is the place wherc they serve those delicious Italian dishes about which Leila's been rav- ing
 The food must be top hole to drag even you, Ali. to dump
 Hush '" The warning in Alfred's voice was not wholly burlesuued as he turned from paying the taxi-driver and seized Dicky's arm with agitated hands which shook dicky hard. 1 'D'you want to have our throats slit ! for ungrateful CUTS? Lead on to the | Of the enchanted castle of glorious grub--hehold it's wonders and taste of it delights-before you cast aspersions on this den of delcctablc | 
 Tim game, if the girls are" said Dicky, slipping Leia's arm through his and marching toward the double doors but a step away, which at his | touch swung open and Leila and he were inside before Alfred could stop them, but not before we heard Leila's voice in evident distastefu surprise and embarrassment, gasp;
 "O-oh '"
 Hurry" Alfred exclaimed, half laughing, half-serious. We must catch up with them, or they'll back put--I know Leila"
 The interior which mot my eyes as preceded Alfred through the door he held open disclosed ample reason for Leila's exclamation. But with one backward look, in which ] read mis- cry and also an appeal to me. Leila 3t my nod of assurance and the All right" which my lips soundlessly formed, kept on with Dicky, down the sawdust -foored room. On one side stood busy bar. On the other were neat tables at which sat roughly dressed but honest-looking men.
 They looked up in evident surprise 1t our entrance in evening clothes, one or two grinned broadly and chat cred in a foreign language, but all were polite enough to turn their eyes away after the first surprised stare, But new eyes continually lifted--and many an eyebrow raised-as we lef; he front room, and entered a second 'oom which opened up much larger han the one we had just left.
 Isn't That Bcss Dean:"
 Here better-dressed men sat at ables covered with spotloss cloths