Part 17 (1/2)
”And you, Senorita Evelyn, why are you going over tonight?”
”Well--to be d.a.m.n truthful, Senor, I'm going over for a drink,” answered Evelyn.
”That is a very good reason, Senorita--Gratias!”
The men moved slowly through the car, going through every bundle and package, regardless of size, whether it be large or small, making men stand up, and feeling them over for firearms, finally leaving the car to ramble its way on to town.
”My Heavens, they are particular tonight,” said Pearl.
”They will be that way until the war is over, and what good it does, I don't know,” answered Evelyn.
Juarez, since the reports of the war, and the warning for Americans to stay on their own side, there were twice as many people in the bars as there usually were at this hour of the evening. They stayed on the car until they arrived at the Lobby No. 2, where they got off the car, with Pearl holding her head down so that no one might see the black eye.
”I wonder what Harry will say when he sees my s.h.i.+ner?”
”Black eyes are nothing new to Harry.”
They went into the bar--crowds were milling, singing, talking, cursing and drinking to the war.
”This is going to be another wild night over here--I can see that already--come on, let's get a drink, and then you can go in and see Harry.”
”O. K.”
”Well, for the love of Jees--what happened to you?” asked Mickey, as she came up to Pearl. ”You needn't tell me--Big Boy--ain't I right?”
”Right--what are you drinking, Mickey?” asked Pearl.
”Whiskey--but how did it happen, and when?”
”Well, he is jealous of me--and he knew I was lying about last night, and so--he took a sock at me.”
”Ah, that's lousy.”
”Yeah--that's lousy, but she got returns at once,” said Evelyn. ”She has already moved to the Hussman, and what an apartment--and then the boy friend came in and handed her a bank book all her own, with a grand for her to check on--then he goes away tonight to the mine, and Pearl is going to be true to him till he comes back--like h.e.l.l.”
”Well, that calls for celebration,” said Mickey, as she drank her whiskey.
”It does,” answered Pearl. ”I think we should do it tonight, after the bridge closes--what do you say?”
”Good--I'll be there, but I ain't telling anyone about it--you do your own telling--I might invite someone you don't want--well, I got a date to roll a guy--I'll be seeing you,” as she went into the crowd.
”Mickey is a d.a.m.n good scout,” said Pearl.
”She's regular,” answered Evelyn.
”Oh, listen--that's Harry singing--come on in and let's sit at a table and see the show--I could watch him all night.”
”You probably will--but he won't be singing.”
”Now, Ev, you shouldn't begrudge me a little pleasure--at least Harry never gave me a black eye.”