Nevada could hear a voice crackle through the receiver.
Rina shot him a funny look, then spoke into the telephone again. "Good morning, Louella," she said in a sweet voice. "No, you didn't wake me up. Nevada and I were just having breakfast… Yes, that's right – The Girl on the Flying Trapeze. It's a wonderful part… No, Norman decided against borrowing Gable from Metro.
He says there's only one man who could do the part justice… Of course. Nevada, it's a natural for him.
Wait a minute, I'll put him on and let him tell you himself."
She covered the mouthpiece with her hand.
"It's Parsons," she whispered quickly. "Bernie decided yesterday he wanted you to play the part of the stunt-rider.
Louella's checking on the story."
"What's the matter?" Nevada asked dryly. ''Wouldn't MGM lend him Gable?"
"Don't be silly! Get on the phone."
"Hello, Louella."
The familiar, sticky-sweet voice chewed at his ear.
"Congratulations, Nevada! I think it's just wonderful that you're to play opposite your lovely wife again!"
"Wait a minute, Louella." He laughed. "Not so fast.
I’m not making the picture."
"You're not?" Another Parsons scoop was in the making.
"Why?"
"I've already agreed to go out on the road with my Wild-West show," he said, "And that will keep me tied up for at least six months.
While I'm away, Rina will look for another house for us.
I think we'll both be more comfortable in a smaller place."
Her voice was businesslike now.
"You're selling Hilltop?"
"Yes."
"To Thalberg?" she questioned.
"I heard he was interested."
"I don't know," he said. "Several people have expressed interest."
"You'll let me know the moment you decide?"
"Of course."
"There's no trouble between you two?" she asked shrewdly. "Louella!"
He laughed. "You know better than that."
"I’m glad! You're both such nice people," she said.
She hesitated a moment. "Keep in touch if there's any news."
"I will, Louella."
"Good luck to both of you!"
Nevada put down the telephone and looked across the table.
He hadn't meant for it to come out this way, but there was nothing that could be done about it now.
Rina's face was white with anger.
"You could have told me about it before you told the whole world!"
"Who had the chance?" he retorted, angry despite himself. "This is the first time we've talked in months.
Besides, you might have told me about the picture."
"Bernie tried to get you all day yesterday but you never came to the phone."
"That's a lot of crap," he said. "I was home all day and he never called.
Besides, I wouldn't have his handouts – or yours either, for that matter."
"Maybe if you took your nose out of that damn stable once in a while, you'd find out what was going on."
"I know what's going on," he said angrily. "You don't have to start acting like a movie star."
"Oh, what's the use?" she said bitterly. "What did you ever marry me for?"
"Or you me?" he asked, with equal bitterness.
As they stared at each other, the truth suddenly came to both of them.
They had married because they both knew they had lost each other and wanted desperately to hold onto what was already gone.
With the knowledge, the anger dissipated as quickly as it had come.
"I'm sorry," he said.