Девять рассказов

           What’stheuseatalking?I’mlosingmymind.Hanguponme,whydon’tyou?Imeanit."

           Thegray-hairedmanclearedhisthroatandsaid,"Ihavenointentionofhanginguponyou,Arthur.There’sjustone—"

           "Sheboughtmeasuitonce.Withherownmoney.Itellyouaboutthat?"

           "No,I—"

           "ShejustwentintoIthinkTripler’sandboughtit.Ididn’tevengowithher.Imeanshehassomegoddamnicetraits.Thefunnythingwasitwasn’tabadfit.Ijusthadtohaveittakeninalittlebitaroundtheseat—thepants—andthelength.Imeanshehassomegoddamnicetraits."

           Thegray-hairedmanlistenedanothermoment.

           Then,abruptly,heturnedtowardthegirl.Thelookhegaveher,thoughonlyglancing,fullyinformedherwhatwassuddenlygoingonattheotherendofthephone."Now,Arthur.Listen.Thatisn’tgoingtodoanygood,"hesaidintothephone."Thatisn’tgoingtodoanygood.Imeanit.Now,listen.Isaythisinallsincerity.Willyagetundressedandgetinbed,likeagoodguy?Andrelax?Joanie’llprobablybethereinabouttwominutes.Youdon’twanthertoseeyoulikethat,doya?ThebloodyEllenbogens’llprobablybargeinwithher.Youdon’twantthewholebunchof’emtoseeyoulikethat,doya?"Helistened."Arthur?Youhearme?"

           "God,I’mkeepingyouawakeallnight.EverythingIdo,I—"

           "You’renotkeepingmeawakeallnight,"thegrayhairedmansaid."Don’teventhinkofthat.I’vealreadytoldyou,I’vebeenaveragingaboutfourhours’sleepanight.