Checking It Out

           Ullmanwaswaitingforthemjustinsidethewide,old-fashionedfrontdoors.HeshookhandswithJackandnoddedcoollyatWendy,perhapsnoticingthewayheadsturnedwhenshecamethroughintothelobby,hergoldenhairspillingacrosstheshouldersofthesimplenavydress.Thehemofthedressstoppedamodesttwoinchesabovetheknee,butyoudidn’thavetoseemoretoknowtheyweregoodlegs.

           UllmanseemedtrulywarmtowardDannyonly,butWendyhadexperiencedthatbefore.DannyseemedtobeachildforpeoplewhoordinarilyheldW.C.Fields’sentimentsaboutchildren.HebentalittlefromthewaistandofferedDannyhishand.Dannyshookitformally,withoutasmile.

           "MysonDanny,"Jacksaid."AndmywifeWinnifred."

           "I’mhappytomeetyouboth,"Ullmansaid."Howoldareyou,Danny?"

           "Five,sir."

           "Sir,yet."UllmansmiledandglancedatJack."He’swellmannered."

           "Ofcoursebeis,"Jacksaid.

           "AndMrs.Torrance."Heofferedthesamelittlebow,andforabemusedinstantWendythoughthewouldkissherhand.Shehalf-offereditandhedidtakeit,butonlyforamoment,claspedinbothofhis.Hishandsweresmallanddryandsmooth,andsheguessedthathepowderedthem.

           Thelobbywasabustleofactivity.Almosteveryoneoftheold-fashionedhigh-backedchairswastaken.