Virginia stood blank-faced. Norvell knew she was trying, and loved her for it.
The child came untidily down the stairs, her much too sophisticated dressing gown fastened with a careless pin. Norvell said firmly, “Sandy——”
The child’s face was ancient and haughty. “Please,” she interrupted him. “You know how I feel about that humiliating nickname.”
Norvell got a grip on himself. “I didn’t mean——” he started, through clenched teeth.
“Of course you didn’t mean anything. You didn’t mean to wake me up with your drunken performance on the stairs, did you? You didn’t mean to keep Virginia and me in terror when you didn’t bother to let us know you’d be out late.” She shot a sly glance at her mother, fishing for approbation. Virginia’s hands were clenched.
Norvell said hopelessly, “I only wanted to tell you something.”
“Nothing you can say now would help.”
“No?” Norvell yelled at her, restraint gone. “Well, listen anyway, damn it! We’re going to Belly Rave! All of us— tomorrow! Doesn’t that mean something to you?”
Virginia said at last, with a wiry edge to her voice, “You don’t have to shout at the child.”
That was the ball game. He knew perfectly well that she had meant nothing of the kind, but his glands answered for him: “So I don’t have to shout at her—because she isn’t deaf like me, is that it? My loyal wife! My loving family!”
“I didn’t mean that!” Virginia cried.
“You never do!” Norvell bellowed over Alexandra’s shrill contribution. Virginia screamed:
“You know I didn’t mean it, but I wish I had! You! Call yourself a husband! You can’t even take care of a family!”
It went on almost until dawn.
Chapter Ten
charles mundin said: “Thanks for springing Bligh, Del.” Dworcas said affably, “Hell, any tune. Besides, he’s a friend
of the kid’s. Now what’s on your mind?” Mundin said, “G.M.L. Homes. Del, I think you’ve put me
onto something. If it works out—— Well, I won’t forget.”
“Sure, Charles. Look, it’s getting late and I’ve got a couple things to do.” /
“I’ll make it quick. This election, Del—let me out of it, will you? I mean, it isn’t as if you need poll-watchers. And I could use the handout—but I can’t spare the time.”
Dworcas looked at bun appraisingly and made his decision. He grinned widely. “Hell, Charles—why should I get in your way? Hop on this deal if it looks so good. I’m not saying it won’t leave me shorthanded—I’ve even got my kid brother helping out. God knows he won’t be good for much but he ought to be able to hand out a dodger. So you think this G.M.L. deal is on the level, do you?”
Charles started to answer, but one of Dworcas’s handymen stuck his head in the door. He whispered to Del.
Dworcas apologized, “Sorry, Charles, but Jimmy Lyons is here; excuse me a minute.”
It really wasn’t much more than a minute, even though when Dworcas came back he was walking slowly. He didn’t look at Mundin.
Mundin said, “Yes, I do think it’s on the level. At any rate, I’m going to give it a whirl.”
Dworcas said to the wall, “Wonder if you’re doing the right
thing.”
Mundin was startled. “How do you mean?”
Dworcas shrugged. “It’s a pretty serious business, practicing a kind of law you aren’t fitted for. It’s your business, Mundin. I just don’t want to see you getting into trouble.”
Mundin said, “Wait a minute, Del! What’s this about? It was your idea, wasn’t it?” .
Dworcas said coldly, “Worried* Mundin? Trying to%ang it on me?” He picked up his phone in a gesture -0| d^missal. ‘Take off, will you? I’ve got work to do.” V
It bothered Mundin all the way home, and it bothered him the next morning when he woke up.
It bothered him even more at the County Courthouse. He walked in with a nod to the duty cop, and the cop looked right through him. He said to the assistant clerk at the counter, “What do you say, Abe? How are the kids?” And the clerk mumbled something and closed his window with a bang.
By then Mundin began to catch on. He got sore, and he got