PEGGY-IN-THE-RAIN
"Who's giving this party? Waiter, bring Mr. Waring a liver pill and a glass of water."
The waiter smiled discreetly.
"Rye high-ball,"said Peter. "I believe it's these damned mixed drinks that have got me going, Gordon. Saw your pretty in the paper this afternoon."
"Make it two. Yes, good likeness, wasn't it?"
"Well, I'd have known those long legs of yours. Ran into the Widow a minute ago on the Avenue."
"Ran into her? Well, you're insured, aren't you, up to twenty thousand? How much is a widow worth, Pete, if you break her?"
"She inquired about you."
"That means she's losing hope of you, Pete. Hope you told her I'd gone abroad or somewhere?"
"I don't believe she'd have me," replied Pete moodily.
"Good God, old man, you aren't thinking of that, are you?"
"Oh, I don't know. Say, look here, now; I'm 'most thirty, ain't I?"
"You ought to know better than I."
59
