Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-02
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I mirthlessly. Damn it-what do you
mean? Of course you would He'll
you're a bright fella, Petel You know
about things. What do you mean, you
don't know"
"Just that" said Peter, steadily. 81
don't. How can any one know, Tack?
Who's ever come back to tell us what
goes on-after a jump like that?
What's that line in Hamlet-"That UNI
derdiscovered country, from whose
bourne no traveller returns?' And, any
way"
"Oh, I knowp said Tack, in a
changed voice. He laughed. Don't
you worry, Pete. I'm not going to pop
myself off. I'm not much good
damned if I'm yellow, though I'll
stick it out"
They were quiet for a, while.
you've got the right idea, Pete, v
said Tack. Take it or leave it alone
that's you. Used to be that way my
self once. Long time ago, though.
Don't let this damn town get you, now
that you're back. tn try. Hootch-
women-easy money!" His voice was
fierce, all at once. Get to work, Pete
Don't you go slack, like the rest of
us--theres nothing to it. know!"
Peter, not knowing what to say, said
nothing.
"Ross--' said Tack. "Pete-he's
no good! He's worm-he ought to
be living under fiat stone, out in the
woods, where it's damp and Gravity.
They'll tell you I'm jealous. Jealous
hell Nothing like it. But that's a
rotten bad egg, that Ross. I know
what I'm talking about.
"Me-Tm not much good, either.
I've made a mess of things. Might
have amounted to something-my own
fault 1 didn't. Had all the chances
any chap has coming to him, God
knows! Martha-well, she's got it in
for me and I don't blame her. Martha S
all right. You stick around, Pete. She
likes you. So do I. Keep an eye on
her. She'll listen to you, maybe. Me
she thinks I'm the dirt under her feet.
And she needs some one.
Maybe 1 am. But I'm not a fool,
the way she thinks. She's smart. But
she gets fooled. They all do. The
smarter they are the harder they fall.
could tell you some thingS-IVe a
good mind to tell you"
Steady, Tack" said Peter. Better
not. Not now"
Tack turned to look at him. He
laughed harshly.
You mean I'm drunk2 Sure I'm
drunk. I'll be a lot drunken before
what I'm talking about just as wells
If I were sober. Have it your own
way, though. I'll shut UP. Come on.
Let's go back. I want drink"
Peter went back with Tack--through
the kitchen again. Once more Tack
tossed off long drink of straight
Scotch. In the living room, by this
time. Kodi had set out a decanter,
mineral water, bowl of ice, glasses.
The room was full of cigarette smoke
and gay with talk and laughter.
If we're going on to the Kendalls
suppose we'd better be starting"
Martha said.
I'm not asked" said Rita Gould
frsW the fireplace. Her voice was in
solent, Indifferent. After a moment
she added 81 don't know them"
"Oh, what difference does that
make?" said Marian Bronson, quick
ly. you're with us, of course I think
you're right, Martha-we ought to be
starting" She laughed. I've got a
heavy date there, anyway don't want
to be too late"
Here and there, inevitably, without
intention on his part, certainly without
asking questions, Peter picked up stray
bits of information about Martha anc
Tack, until, gradually, what he learned
enabled him to visualize their life more
or less as a whole; gave him reason
ably complete picture of what it hac
been and what it had become.
He saw good deal of them after
that dinner on the roof and that curl
GUS, disconcerting, vaguely revelatory
talk with Tack as they stood by the
parapet. He dined with them rather