И проиграли бой

           "Niceofyou.Likeabiteyourself?"

           "Sure,"saidMac."Wecouldevenpayforit.Imagineusguyspayin’foranything."

           "Aw,thisisjustyourcut,"saidAl."Kindofacommissionforsendingtheguysintown."Heopenedhisiceboxandpattedouttwohamburgersteaksandslappedthemdownonthestove-top;andhearrangedawreathofchoppedonionsabouteachone."How’sthingscomingoutyourway?"heasked.

           Macleanedconfidentiallyoverthecounter."Listen,Al.Iknowyou’reaguyIcantrust.Wegotyouonthebooks.Youbeenswelltous."

           Alblushedwithpleasureatthepraise."Well,I’dbeoutwithyouguysifIdidn’thaveabusinesstokeepup.Amanseesthewayconditionsis,andinjustice,andthings—andifhe’sgotanybrainshecomestoit."

           "Sure,"saidMachurriedly."Aguywithbrainsdon’thavetobetaught.Heseesthingsforhimself."

           Alturnedawaytohidehispleasure.Heflippedthesteaksandpressedthemdownwithhisspatulaandgatheredupthewiltingonionsandforcedthemintothemeat.Hescrapedthegreaseintothelittletroughonthesideofthestove-top.Whenhehadforcedhisfacebacktoapropergravity,heturnedaroundagain."Sureyouguyscantrustme,"hesaid."Yououghttoknowit.Whatyougoton?"Hefilledtwocupswithcoffeeandslidthemalongthecounter.

           Mactappeddelicatelyonthecounterwithaknife-blade."Theremaybebullsaskin’aboutmeandJim."