Chapter 27

           JILLSTOPPEDTOGRABanegligeefromawell-stockedwardrobe,hurriedoutintothelivingroomandletinMrs.Paiwonski."Comein,dear.Weweregrabbingbathsinahurry;he’llberightout.I’llgetyouadrink–thenyoucanhaveyourseconddrinkinthetubifyoulike.Loadsofhotwater."

           "IhadashowerafterIputHoneyBuntobed,but–yes,I’dloveatubbath.But,Jillbaby,Ididn’tcomeheretoborrowyourbathtub;IcamebecauseI’mjustheartsickthatyoukidsareleavingtheshow."

           "Wewon’tlosetrackofyou."Jillwasbusywithglasses.Thehotelwassooldthatnoteventhe"BridalSuite"haditsownicedispenserbutthenightbellman,indoctrinatedandsubsidized,hadleftacartonoficecubes."Timwasrightandyouknowhewas.MikeandIhavegottoslickupouractalotbeforewecanholdupourend."

           "Youractisokay.Needsafewlaughsinit,maybe,but–Hi,Smitty."AsMikecamein,sheofferedhimaglovedhand.Mrs.Paiwonskialwaysworeglovesawayfromthelot,andahigh-neckeddressandstockings.Dressedso,shelookedlikeamiddle-aged,mostrespectablewidow,whohadkeptherfiguretriminspiteofheryears–lookedso,becauseshewaspreciselythat.

           "IwasjusttellingJill,"shewenton,"thatyou’vegotagoodact,youtwo."

           Mikesmiledgently."Now,Pat,youdon’thavetokidus.Itstinks.Weknowit."

           "No,itdoesn’t,dearie.Oh,maybeitneedsalittlesomethingtogiveitsomezing.Afewjokes.