Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 7, 1928 — page 50: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

40 ’ Downstairs again, after the dishes had been cleared away and they were all gathered in the gaudy parlor once more, George, who had returned, turned on the radio. At the start of the music Albert looked meaningly at Viola, and started toward her to dance with her. But Kate broke in with: “Oh, Milly, do that Black Bottem thing you and Mr. Wade were doing!’ Cold all over, Viola sank back in her chair. Willingly, Milly grasped Al- bert’s arms and they clumped around the carpet, while the air was filled with their: “ Ya-cha-cha, ma baby’s snappee! Ya-cha-cha, ma baby’s wild—” Then Kate rose and gave a ludicrous imitation of it with George. Millicent stood near to coach them, and hung onto Albert’s arm as if she needed sup- port while she was convulsed with laughter. Viola, sitting in the deep chair, was a far-away spectator of the fun. She wore a perpetual smile. Her eyes did tricks to her; all the objects in the room seemed to be re- ceding, as if she were looking at them through the small end of an opera glass. Even the people looked like marionettes. She felt that she ought to get up and try to dance with them, but, for the life of her, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Just when she thought that the terri- ble evening was over, George suggest- ed ice cream, and Kate insisted that Albert and Millicent chase after it to the drug store several blocks away. Viola’s mind instantly checked the memory of those blocks leading to the drug store; they were dark blocks, with very few street lamps. Yet she could not protest, could not say anything. Albert objected mildly, but was ruled down by these three in- yincible people. While they were gone George tin- kered with the radio, and Kate ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY. stretched out on a couch, dozing. Des- perate, Viola tried to interest herself in a magazine, then in the radio, and finally in the choice masterpieces on the walls. It seemed ages before Milly and AlI- bert returned, bearing with*them a quart of ice cream. They burst into the front door, Al- bert holding the package aloft. He dropped it on the floor, and when he and the girl bent to pick it up their heads met. More laughter, with Kate, her interest in life revived, sitting on the couch and snickering. “ You two fix it,” she ordered them. The radio blared forth again, and Kate, suddenly aware of Viola’s ex- istence, yanked her into a dance. It was like dancing with a ten-ton truck. Viola followed the steps for a few turns, her feet stumbling and dragging as she was whirled around, and finally had to give it up with the plea that her breath was gone. “Say, Mrs. Wade,” said Kate, “ do yth know any good beauty parlors around here? I tried that one on Fletcher Street, but that ain’t no good, y know.” “You mean Lena’s Shoppe?” asked Viola dully. “Yeah.” Kate’s hand flopped to show her dislike for Lena’s. “ That Lena—aw she always talks about peo- ple. Y’ can’t get a word in edgeways when she gets talkin’. She’s terrible, honest. Five minutes you’re there, and she’s got everything outa you. I’m liv- in’ in this house a year now, and I’m tellin’ yuh, [’d rather go as far as Righty-Sixth Street before I’d go to Lena’s. She’s that way, y’ know.” “T don’t know of any—’ began Viola doubtfully. “Well, this is how it is, y’ see. Milly wants her hair done, and me, too. [ heard of a place near the new theayter where the prices is nice. You and me ~ and Milly could go to-morrow, yeah?” “T don’t think—” But again Viola was overruled. EOPNIGL OOO KS (F@)