Chapter 9

           OnMondayperfidiousspringdodgedbacktowardwinterwithcoldrainandrawgustywindthatshreddedthetenderleavesoftootrustingtrees.Theboldandconcupiscentbullsparrowsonthelawns,intentonlechery,gotblownaboutlikerags,offcourseandofftarget,andtheychatteredwrathfullyagainsttheinconstantweather.

           IgreetedMr.RedBakeronhistour,histailblownsidewayslikeabattleflag.Hewasanoldacquaintance,squintinghiseyesagainsttherain.Isaid,"FromnowonyouandIcanbefriendsonthesurface,butIfeelitonlyrighttotellyouthatoursmilesconcealasavagecontest,aconflictofinterests."Icouldhavesaidmorebuthewasanxioustofinishhischoresandgetundercover.

           TheMorphwasontime.Hemayhavebeenwaitingforme—probablywas."Hellofaday,"hesaid,andhisoiled-silkraincoatflappedandbillowedaroundhislegs."Ihearyoudidasocialturnwithmyboss."

           "Ineededsomeadvice.Hegavemeteatoo."

           "He’lldothat."

           "Youknowhowadviceis.Youonlywantitifitagreeswithwhatyouwantedtodoanyway."

           "Soundslikeinvestment."

           "MyMarywantssomenewfurniture.Whenawomanwantssomethingshefirstdressesitupasagoodinvestment."

           "Notonlywomen,either,"saidMorph."Idoitmyself."

           "Well,it’shermoney.Shewantstoshoparoundforbargains."

           AtthecornerofHighStreetwewatchedatinsigntearloosefromRapp’sToyStoreandgoskiddingandscreechingalong,soundinglikeatrafficaccident.