Девять рассказов
Just Before the War with the Eskimos
"I’mnomillionaire,yaknow."
Selenalookedfirstamazed,thenhurt."Don’tIalwayspayhalf?"sheaskedinnocently.
"No,"saidGinnieflatly."YoupaidhalfthefirstSaturday.Wayinthebeginningoflastmonth.Andsincethennotevenonce.Idon’twannaberatty,butI’mactuallyexistingonfour-fiftyaweek.AndoutofthatIhaveto—"
"Ialwaysbringthetennisballs,don’tI?"Selenaaskedunpleasantly.
SometimesGinniefeltlikekillingSelena."Yourfathermakesthemorsomething,"shesaid."Theydon’tcostyouanything.Ihavetopayforeverysinglelittle—"
"Allright,allright,"Selenasaid,loudlyandwithfinalityenoughtogiveherselftheupperhand.Lookingbored,shewentthroughthepocketsofhercoat."Ionlyhavethirty-fivecents,"shesaidcoldly."Isthatenough?"
"No.I’msorry,butyouowemeadollarsixty-five.I’vebeenkeepingtrackofevery—"
"I’llhavetogoupstairsandgetitfrommymother.Can’titwaittillMonday?Icouldbringittogymwithmeifit’dmakeyouhappy."
Selena’sattitudedefiedclemency.
"No,"Ginniesaid."Ihavetogotothemoviestonight.Ineedit."
Inhostilesilence,thegirlsstaredoutofoppositewindowsuntilthecabpulledupinfrontofSelena’sapartmenthouse.ThenSelena,whowasseatednearestthecurb,letherselfout.Justbarelyleavingthecabdooropen,shewalkedbrisklyandobliviously,likevisitingHollywoodroyalty,intothebuilding.Ginnie,herfaceburning,paidthefare.
