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Chapter 24
Macalledthemback,helduptheirfaceswithahandundereachchin,andlookedintotheirnostrils,pulledtheirearsandlookedinside,andsentthemtothesanitaryunittowashtheirhandsoncemore.Theydodgedaroundthebackofthebuildingandboltedfortheplatform,tostandamongthechildren,close-packedabouttheband.
AlfinishedhisdinnerandspenthalfanhourshavingwithTom’srazor.Alhadatight-fittingwoolsuitandastripedshirt,andhebathedandwashedandcombedhisstraighthairback.Andwhenthewashroomwasvacantforamoment,hesmiledengaginglyathimselfinthemirror,andheturnedandtriedtoseehimselfinprofilewhenhesmiled.Heslippedhispurplearm-bandsonandputonhistightcoat.Andherubbeduphisyellowshoeswithapieceoftoiletpaper.Alatebathercamein,andAlhurriedoutandwalkedrecklesslytowardtheplatform,hiseyepeeledforgirls.Nearthedancefloorhesawaprettyblondgirlsittinginfrontofatent.Hesidlednearandthrewopenhiscoattoshowhisshirt.
«Gonnadancetonight?»heasked.Thegirllookedawayanddidnotanswer.«Can’tafellapassawordwithyou?How’boutyouan’medancin’?»Andhesaidnonchalantly,«Icanwaltz.»Thegirlraisedhereyesshyly,andshesaid,«Thatain’tnothin’—anybodycanwaltz.»
«Notlikeme,"saidAl.Themusicsurged,andhetappedonefootintime.«Comeon,"hesaid.
Averyfatwomanpokedherheadoutofthetentandscowledathim.«Yougitalong,"shesaidfiercely.«Thisheregirl’sspokefor.
