Prev | Current Page 220 | Next

Hughes, Rupert, 1872-1956

"We Can't Have Everything"


As the car drew near her corner she cried that she had some
shopping to do and escaped again at the drug-store.
She found her husband at home. There was an unwonted authority
about his greeting:
"Well, young woman, you may approach and kiss my hand. I am a
gentleman with a job. I am a Chicago gentleman with a job."
"You don't mean it!" Kedzie gasped; and kissed him from habit with
more respect than her recent habit had shown.
"I mean it," said Gilfoyle. "I am now on the staff of the Deshler
Advertising Agency. I was afraid when Mr. D. offered me an
unsolicited position (he could say it to-day) that it was the red
wine and not the real money that was talking, but he was painfully
sober this noon, took me out to lunch, and told me that he would be
proud to avail himself of my services."
"Splendid!" said Kedzie, with sincere enthusiasm. It is always
pleasant to learn that money is setting toward the family.
But something told Kedzie that her late acquisition of twenty-five
dollars would not be with her long. Easy come, easy go. "How much
is the fare to Chicago?" she asked, in a hollow voice.
"Twenty-two dollars is the fare," said Gilfoyle, "with about
eight dollars extra. I couldn't borrow a cent. I've got only
five dollars."
"I thought so," said Kedzie.
"Thought what so?" said Gilfoyle.
"Nothing," said Kedzie. "Well, I happen to have twenty-five
dollars."
"That's funny," said Gilfoyle. "Where did you get it?"
"Oh, I saved it up.


Pages:
208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232