“A rich farmer,” he said. ‘John Jacob Astor from the cowshed.”
She had covered herself, sitting on the bed, still, downlooking.
“He pays me.”
“With what?
Hasn’t he used up that nickel yet?” He looked at her. “A setup for hayseeds.
That’s what I brought you down here from Memphis for.
Maybe I’d better start giving away grub too.”
“I’m not doing it on your time.”
“Sure.
I can’t stop you.
I just hate to see you.
A kid, that never saw a whole dollar at one time in his life.
With this town full of guys making good jack, that would treat you right.”
“Maybe I like him.
Maybe you hadn’t thought of that.”
He looked at her, at the still and lowered crown of her head as she sat on the bed, her hands on her lap.
He leaned against the bureau, smoking.
He said, “Mame!”
After a while he said again, “Mame!
Come in here.” The walls were thin.
After a while the big blonde woman came up the hall, without haste. They could both hear her.
She entered. “Get this,” the man said. “She says maybe she likes him best.
It’s Romeo and Juliet.
For sweet Jesus!”
The blonde woman looked at the dark crown of the waitress’ head.
“What about that?”
“Nothing.
It’s fine.
Max Confrey presenting Miss Bobbie Allen, the youth’s companion.”
“Go out,” the woman said.
“Sure.
I just brought her change for a nickel.” He went out.
The waitress had not moved.
The blonde woman went to the bureau and leaned against it, looking at the other’s lowered head.
“Does he ever pay you?” she said.
The waitress did not move.
“Yes.
He pays me.”
The blonde woman looked at her, leaning against the bureau as Max had done.
“Coming all the way down here from Memphis.
Bringing it all the way down here to give it away.
The waitress did not move.
“I’m not hurting Max.”
The blonde woman looked at the other’s lowered head.
Then she turned and went toward the door.
“See that you don’t,” she said. “This won’t last forever.
These little towns won’t stand for this long.
I know.
I came from one of them.”
Sitting on the bed, holding the cheap, florid candy box in her hands, she sat as she had sat while the blonde woman talked to her.