A little girl of twelve came up timidly to the man reading and resting by the window, and said:
Papa, wont you play a game of checkers with me if you arent too tired?
The red-haired, unshaven, untidy man sitting shoeless by the window answered, with a frown.
Checkers. No, I wont. Cant a man who works hard all day have a little rest when he comes home? Why dont you go out and play with the other kids on the sidewalk?
The woman who was cooking came to the door.
John, she said, I dont like for Lizzie to play in the street. They learn too much there that aint good for em. Shes been in the house all day long. It seems that you might give up a little of your time to amuse her when you come home.
Let her go out and play like the rest of em if she wants to be amused, said the red-haired, unshaven, untidy man, and dont bother me.
* * *Youre on, said Kid Mullaly. Fifty dollars to $25 I take Annie to the dance. Put up.
The Kids black eyes were snapping with the fire of the baited and challenged. He drew out his roll and slapped five tens upon the bar. The three or four young fellows who were thus taken more slowly produced their stake. The bartender, ex-officio stakeholder, took the money, laboriously wrapped it, recorded the bet with an inch-long pencil and stuffed the whole into a corner of the cash register.
And, oh, whatll be done to youll be a plenty, said a bettor, with anticipatory glee.
Thats my lookout, said the Kid, sternly. Fill em up all around, Mike.
After the round Burke, the Kids sponge, sponge-holder, pal, Mentor and Grand Vizier, drew him out to the bootblack stand at the saloon corner where all the official and important matters of the Small Hours Social Club were settled. As Tony polished the light tan shoes of the clubs President and Secretary for the fifth time that day, Burke spake words of wisdom to his chief.
Cut that blond out, Kid, was his advice, or therell be trouble. What do you want to throw down that girl of yours for? Youll never find one thatll freeze to you like Liz has. Shes worth a hallful of Annies.
Im no Annie admirer! said the Kid, dropping a cigarette ash on his polished toe, and wiping it off on Tonys shoulder. But I want to teach Liz a lesson. She thinks I belong to her. Shes been bragging that I darent speak to another girl. Liz is all right in some ways. Shes drinking a little too much lately. And she uses language that a lady oughtnt.
Youre engaged, aint you? asked Burke.
Sure. Well get married next year, maybe.
I saw you make her drink her first glass of beer, said Burke. That was two years ago, when she used to came down to the corner of Chrystie bare-headed to meet you after supper. She was a quiet sort of a kid then, and couldnt speak without blushing.
Shes a little spitfire, sometimes, now, said the Kid. I hate jealousy. Thats why Im going to the dance with Annie. Itll teach her some sense.
Well, you better look a little out, were Burkes last words. If Liz was my girl and I was to sneak out to a dance coupled up with an Annie, Id want a suit of chain armor on under my gladsome rags, all right.
Through the land of the stork-vulture wandered Liz. Her black eyes searched the passing crowds fierily but vaguely. Now and then she hummed bars of foolish little songs. Between times she set her small, white teeth together and spake crisp words that the east side has added to language.
Lizs skirt was green silk. Her waist was a large brown-and-pink plaid, well-fitting and not without style. She wore a cluster ring of huge imitation rubies, and a locket that banged her knees at the bottom of a silver chain. Her shoes were run down over twisted high heels, and were strangers to polish. Her hat would scarcely have passed into a flour barrel.
The Family Entrance of the Blue Jay Cafe received her. At a table she sat, and punched the button with the air of milady ringing for her carriage. The waiter came with his large-chinned, low-voiced manner of respectful familiarity. Liz smoothed her silken skirt with a satisfied wriggle. She made the most of it. Here she could order and be waited upon. It was all that her world offered her of the prerogative of woman.
Whiskey, Tommy, she said as her sisters further uptown murmur, Champagne, James.
Sure, Miss Lizzie. Whatll the chaser be?
Seltzer. And say, Tommy, has the Kid been around to-day?
Why, no, Miss Lizzie, I havent saw him to-day.
Fluently came the Miss Lizzie, for the Kid was known to be one who required rigid upholdment of the dignity of his fiancée. Im lookin for m, said Liz, after the chaser had sputtered under her nose. Its got to me that he says hell take Annie Karlson to the dance. Let him. The pink-eyed white rat! Im lookin for m. You know me, Tommy. Two years me and the Kids been engaged. Look at that ring. Five hundred, he said it cost. Let him take her to the dance. Whatll I do? Ill cut his heart out. Another whiskey, Tommy.
I wouldnt listen to no such reports, Miss Lizzie, said the waiter smoothly, from the narrow opening above his chin. Kid Mullalys not the guy to throw a lady like you down. Seltzer on the side?