Part 9 (1/2)

”Hi, baby,” said Harry, as he staggered into the bathroom.

”Oh, Harry, I'm glad you came. I was afraid you might change your mind,”

said Pearl, happily.

”Where you are concerned, baby, I never change my mind--let's have a drink.”

”Come on, Henry,” said Evelyn, ”Let's leave these two in here. It's plain to be seen they don't need us.”

”Ev, you're a d.a.m.n good mind-reader,” said Harry. ”Here, take a couple more bottles with you, so you won't have to bother us.”

”Thanks, I'll just do that little thing,” as she took two extra bottles.

”Ah, baby--I want you so,” said Harry, as he pulled Pearl to him and smothered her with kisses. ”Come on, let's undress and go in the next room and join the dance.”

”Oh, no, Harry, I've never done anything like that.”

”Oh, baby--baby--don't you trust me? Have another drink.”

”Yes, but--”

”No buts,” said Harry, as he began to unfasten her dress. ”Come on, I'll help you undress and then you have to help me.”

”Harry--please--I don't really want to undress.”

”You see--you see--you don't love me, that proves it.”

”Oh, yes I do, Harry--I like you so much, but I can't see where my undressing could have anything to do with it.”

”That just proves it--proves it right there--you don't care a thing about me.”

”Harry, if you were sober you wouldn't do a thing like this. I'm not sober by any means myself, but I don't want to undress.”

”You see--you just want to spoil my whole night.”

”Oh, all right--if my stripping will make you happy, I might as well strip--give me that bottle. I'll have to get a little drunker to enjoy this--here goes,” as she put the bottle to her mouth, taking long, big swallows.

”Atta girl--I knew you would be a good scout,” as he tried to help her get her dress off over her head.

Pearl took off her dress, laid it over a chair, took off her step-ins, laid them with her dress, keeping only her shoes and stockings on.

”Oh, gee, baby--you sure look good to me--I'm just crazy about you.”

”All right--you keep your word--you undress, too.”

”Sure, I'll undress,” said Harry, as he started to take off his pants, s.h.i.+rt, and underwear, and laid them on the chair with Pearl's things, standing before her in only his shoes and socks.

”Let's have a couple more drinks, Harry, darling--you know, I believe I'm going to enjoy this after all.”

”I know I am,” as he put his huge arms around her cool, pink body.