Hall with them Saturday night. She said it would be better than last time. They got a new band there now. I told her I'd ask you about it."
"It's all right with me," Eddie said.
He sat down on the bed, and Dot moved restlessly about the room, pausing at the mirror and the window to pass disparaging comments on her reflection and the weather at each stop.
"Come here," said Eddie, suddenly.
"What for?"
"Come here."
Dot went to him, successful in her attempt to look wholly unaware of what he might possibly want. He pulled her down on his knee and kissed her. Dot laughed and scrambled to her feet.
"Oh, that's what you wanted! Gee, I thought you had something important to say or something. If I had known I wouldn't have come."
"Wouldn't you?"
"I should say not." But she was still laughing.
"It was a hell of a kiss with you busy trying to get away, and the first one tonight, too," he complained. "Let's try it again."
Dot shook her head.
"Well, sit down anyway," Eddie said. "You got me crazy, walking around like a wild animal."
She came over and sat beside him, knowing full well that he would kiss her again. Far better than Eddie did she know that tonight he would be difficult to manage. There were no sinister plans or expectations in his mind. There had been none when he had urged her to stay.
His arm went around her, and for a minute of silence they stayed so, leaning against each other. Eddie looked blankly at the wall. Dot busily pleated the braid on her dress. Neither of them knew how the next kiss happened.
