Page:Glitter (1926).pdf/268

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you only a little fuzzy around the edges—you know how—was playing the banjo. And then, while I was trying to figure out whether it could be you and what you'd be doing playing the banjo—you see, Dopey's moved away from East Orange and I never see him now, so I didn't know—then Perry started saying that there weren't any others coming after all, and—and saying other things——"

She stopped, quite out of breath, and peered anxiously into Jock's face. "You're not still angry, are you?"

"Not at you. But if I ever see that—well, but go on."

"That's all there is," said Cecily. "I just wanted you to know that I'm not a confirmed drunkard."

She said this in all seriousness, with a little air of righteous self-satisfaction, and Jock unexpectedly let forth a whoop that caused heads to turn all over the restaurant. "Oh, you're not?" he chortled. "Are you quite sure about that? You mustn't deceive me, you know, Cecily!" He leaned back in his chair and beamed down at his plate. "'Not a confirmed drunkard,'" he quoted softly. "And what was that other?—oh, 'a little fuzzy around the edges.' Now I ask you!"

Later he began a rigorous cross-examination. "I bet you've got a raft of heavy lovers. Haven't you?"

"I have a few," said Cecily calmly, nibbling a roll.

"Loomis isn't a sample, I hope?"

Cecily lowered the roll and looked pained. "Didn't I just tell you——"

"All right," said Jock. "Take it all back. Signals over. Who are some of these lads, then?"

Cecily obediently enumerated a sizable list of names,

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