“That aint no hotel.
Where’s ere sign?”
“Why aint it?” Fonzo said. “ ’Course it is.
Who ever heard of anybody just living in a three storey house?”
“We cant go in this-a-way,” Virgil said.
“This hyer’s the back.
Dont you see that privy?” jerking his head toward the lattice.
“Well, let’s go around to the front, then,” Fonzo said.
“Come on.”
They went around the block.
The opposite side was filled by a row of automobile sales-rooms.
They stood in the middle of the block, their suit cases in their right hands.
“I dont believe you ever was here before, noways,” Fonzo said.
“Let’s go back.
That must a been the front.”
“With the privy built onto the front door?” Fonzo said.
“We can ask that lady.”
“Who can?
I aint.”
“Let’s go back and see, anyway.”
They returned.
The woman and the dogs were gone.
“Now you done it,” Fonzo said.
“Aint you?”
“Let’s wait a while.
Maybe she’ll come back.”
“It’s almost seven oclock,” Fonzo said.
They set the bags down beside the fence.
The lights had come on, quivering high in the serried windows against the tall serene western sky.
“I can smell ham, too,” Fonzo said.
A cab drew up.
A plump blonde woman got out, followed by a man.
They watched them go up the walk and enter the lattice.
Fonzo sucked his breath across his teeth.
“Durned if they didn’t,” he whispered.
“Maybe it’s her husband,” Virgil said.
Fonzo picked up his bag.
“Come on.”
“Wait,” Virgil said.
“Give them a little time.”
They waited.
The man came out and got in the cab and went away.
“Caint be her husband,” Fonzo said.
“I wouldn’t a never left.
Come on.”
He entered the gate.
“Wait,” Virgil said.
“You can,” Fonzo said.
Virgil took his bag and followed.
He stopped while Fonzo opened the lattice gingerly and peered in.