Chapter 10

           ThetroublebeganatthetimeEarlBrady’scarpassedtheDivers’carstoppedontheroad—Abe’saccountmeltedimpersonallyintothethrongednight—VioletMcKiscowastellingMrs.AbramssomethingshehadfoundoutabouttheDivers—shehadgoneupstairsintheirhouseandshehadcomeuponsomethingtherewhichhadmadeagreatimpressiononher.ButTommyisawatch-dogabouttheDivers.Asamatteroffactsheisinspiringandformidable—butit’samutualthing,andthefactofTheDiverstogetherismoreimportanttotheirfriendsthanmanyofthemrealize.Ofcourseit’sdoneatacertainsacrifice—sometimestheyseemjustrathercharmingfiguresinaballet,andworthjusttheattentionyougiveaballet,butit’smorethanthat—you’dhavetoknowthestory.AnyhowTommyisoneofthosementhatDick’spassedalongtoNicoleandwhenMrs.McKiscokepthintingatherstory,hecalledthemonit.Hesaid:

           "Mrs.McKisco,pleasedon’ttalkfurtheraboutMrs.Diver."

           "Iwasn’ttalkingtoyou,"sheobjected.

           "Ithinkit’sbettertoleavethemout."

           "Aretheysosacred?"

           "Leavethemout.Talkaboutsomethingelse."

           HewassittingononeofthetwolittleseatsbesideCampion.Campiontoldmethestory.

           "Well,you’reprettyhigh-handed,"Violetcameback.

           Youknowhowconversationsareincarslateatnight,somepeoplemurmuringandsomenotcaring,givingupaftertheparty,orboredorasleep.