И проиграли бой

           "Well,theguysthateatearly"llbehereinanhour."

           "Youcouldgetbackinanhour."

           Alfidgeted."Idon’tthinkmyoldman’lldoit.He’sgottolookoutforhimself,don’the?"

           "Well,heain’tbeenjumpedyet.Howdoyouknowwhat’llhappen?"AchillwascreepingintoMac’svoice,avaguehostility.

           Alpickeduparagandmoppedaroundonthecounter.HisnervouseyescametoMac’sanddartedawayandcameback.Atlasthesteppedclose."I’lldoit,"hesaid."I’lljustpinalittlecardtothedoor.Idon’tthinkmyoldman’lldoit,butI’lltakeyououtthere."

           Macsmiledbroadly."Goodguy.Wewon’tforgetit.NexttimeIseeanystiffwithaquarter,I’llsendhimintogetoneofyoursteaks.""Igiveanicedinnerforthemoney,"saidAl.Hetookoffhistallcook’shatandrolleddownhisshirtsleeves,andturnedthegasoffunderthecookingplate.

           Macfinishedhisfood."Thatwasgood."

           Jimhadtobolthisdinnernottobelate.

           "Igotalittlecarinthelotbehindhere,"saidAl."Maybeyouguyscouldjustfollowme;thenIdon’tgetintonotroubleandI’mstillsomegoodtoyou."

           Macdrainedhiscup."That’sright,Al.Don’tyougetintonobadcompany."

           "YouknowwhatImean."

           "Sure,Iknow.Comeon,Jim,let’sgo."