“You had better marry me. So we can ignore servants.”
“You had better shut up. You’re still learning to be a girl, and I’m still learning how to handle you. You’re Eunice—but you aren’t Eunice. And we must clear up legal matters before we talk about such things.”
“Old mean. Girl beater. Sadist. Hold me tight.”
16
Jake escorted Joan Eunice to her boudoir. Winnie was waiting there-to Joan’s annoyance as she thought it possible that Jake’s stern character might slip if the upper house was quiet. But she did not show it. “Hi, Winnie!”
“Miss Joan! Are you all right? I’ve been so worried!”
“Of course I’m all right; Mr. Salomon was taking care of me. Why were you worried, dear?”
“Why, the dreadful things they’ve been saying about you in the news and there was a riot at the Hall of Justice; I saw it. And—”
“Winnie, Winnie! The idiot box is for idiots; why do you look at it? I was never in danger.”
“But she has had a trying day, so you take good care of her, Winnie.”
“Oh, I will, sir!”
“And I am tired, too, so I’ll say good-night and go to bed. After I find a sandwich, perhaps.”
“Hubert put a tray in your suite, sir.”
“Hubert gets another merit badge. Though to tell the truth, Winnie, I’ve had a worrisome day myself, and it’s left me with little appetite and jangled nerves. I may dine on a sleeping pill.”
“Jake dear—”
“Yes, Eunice?”
“Don’t take a pill. And do eat.”
“But—”
“I know, I’m a bundle of nerves myself. But I know what to do about it—and Winnie and I can soothe your nerves and restore your appetite and make you sleep like a baby.”
He cocked one eyebrow, looked at Eunice, then at Winnie. “I think either of you could. But both?”
“Jake, you’re a dirty-minded old man; you’ll have Winnie blushing. But we can—can’t we, Winnie? The Money Hum.”
“Oh. Yes, we can, Mr. Salomon.”
“Harrumph! Does it involve blood? Or broken bones?”
“Oh, no, sir! It’s restful. Relaxing.”
“I’ll try anything once.”
Joan said, “But you have to strip for it to—”
“I thought there was a catch.”
“Oh, Jake. We’ll let you sissy; you can wear shorts. We strip for it; the spiritual effect is better. It’s the way we warm up for our exercises. Go undress; then put on shorts and a robe. We’ll join you in the Green Suite. Right after it you’re going to have a bite to eat and a tepid tub and straight to bed and right to sleep.”
“Maybe I’d better bathe first. A day in court leaves me smelling like a skunk.”
“You smell all right. Anyhow, Winnie and I have such control by now that we can decide not to be able to smell—or to hear a distracting noise, or anything—if we choose to.”
“That’s true, Mr. Salomon.”
“Okay. Winnie, if she beats me, you protect me. Adios, dears.”
“Five minutes, Jake.”
As soon as they were alone Winifred said, “You’re going to make me strip down bare? Again?”
“I didn’t ‘make’ you strip the first time. And dear Doctor certainly did notice that you are a girl. Looked to me as if the kiss he gave you was better than the one he gave me. Stop blushing. Winnie, you can sissy, too, if you want to—but I do need you -present. Or Jake will think I’m trying to make him.”
“Oh, Mi. Salomon would never think that about you.”
“He’s male. He’s as male as dear Doctor. I need chaperonage, as all I’m after is to help him sleep without pills. The poor dear has had a dreadful day. Winnie, he was wonderful in court; I’ll tell you about it. Later. Let’s get these duds off and grab negligees. Modest ones.” Joan Eunice stopped suddenly. “Perhaps I’ve goofed. Winsome? Do you have a date?”
Miss Gersten blushed again. “Uh. . . not until later.”
“Paul working late? Sorry—erase and correct. None of my business.”
The little redhead continued to blush but she answered steadily, “My business is always your business, Miss Joan. Uh, I’m supposed to take care of you—and I do try! But you feel like a big sister to me.”