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Uncle Wiggly in Connecticut
Theyhadanevenstrongerbondbetweenthem;neitherofthemhadgraduated.Eloisehadleftcollegeinthemiddleofhersophomoreyear,in1942,aweekaftershehadbeencaughtwithasoldierinaclosedelevatoronthethirdfloorofherresidencehall.MaryJanehadleft—sameyear,sameclass,almostthesamemonth—tomarryanaviationcadetstationedinJacksonville,Florida,alean,air-mindedboyfromDill,Mississippi,whohadspenttwoofthethreemonthsMaryJanehadbeenmarriedtohiminjailforstabbinganM.P.
"No,"Eloisewassaying."Itwasactuallyred."Shewasstretchedoutonthecouch,herthinbutveryprettylegscrossedattheankles.
"Ihearditwasblond,"MaryJanerepeated.Shewasseatedinthebluestraightchair."Wuddayacallitsworeupanddownitwasblond."
"Uh-uh.Definitely."Eloiseyawned."Iwasalmostintheroomwithherwhenshedyedit.What’sthematter?Aren’tthereanycigarettesinthere?"
"It’sallright.Ihaveawholepack,"MaryJanesaid."Somewhere."Shesearchedthroughherhandbag.
"Thatdopeymaid,"Eloisesaidwithoutmovingfromthecouch."Idroppedtwobrand-newcartonsinfrontofhernoseaboutanhourago.She’llbein,anyminute,toaskmewhattodowiththem.WherethehellwasI?"
"Thieringer,"MaryJaneprompted,lightingoneofherowncigarettes.
"Oh,yeah.Irememberexactly.ShedyeditthenightbeforeshemarriedthatFrankHenke.Yourememberhimatall?"
"Justsortof.Littleoleprivate?Terriblyunattractive?"
"Unattractive.God!HelookedlikeanunwashedBelaLugosi."
