"Well, I have. But it ain't with no girl, take
it from me."

"And you can't take me?"

Oscar shook his head.
"Not a chance; I would if I could, but I
can't."

"You could break that old date if you cared
anything about me ! "

"That's just the reason I can't break it."

"Pshaw! I don't believe it!"

"Don't, then."

"Would you be mad if I went with some one
else?"

' * Not mad at you. ' '

"A girl likes to go to a show once in a while.
I ain't been to a show since I — since I don't
know when."

"I wish you wouldn't go to this one."

"But why? What's the matter with it?"

' ' I can 't tell you why, but I wish you wouldn 't,
that's all."

"You're just jealous — ^that's all the matter
with you."

"Of Kitts? Where do you get that stuff?
Forget it!"

"You ain't got the right to dictate who I
shall go with!"

"I ain't trying to, I'm just asking* yon not
to go next Thursday night."

[255]



TAKING THE COUNT



''Suppose I don't go with Charlie Kitts?"

"Don't go with anybody. Stay at home."

"Huh! That ain't any fun. I haven't been
a single place for weeks, and when I've got a
chance to go somewhere you kick about it.
