“Eddie? You’re up? You want something to eat?”

“I’ll get it, Ma.”

“Tortillas in the oven, beans on the stove.”

“I want some eggs.”

“In the icebox.” She was in there resting, Eddie knew. Her heart bothered her a lot; she was short of breath, needed an operation for the goiter. The first thing I do, Eddie thought, thinking of the money—the first thing is the operation. Then some clothes for her, a good coat, maybe a fur one.

He saw his father’s wine bottle on the sink and said to himself, For him, a kick in the guts.

He was frying the eggs when he heard her in the doorway and looked around. She had on a blue cotton house dress, bedroom slippers, an old green wool sweater thrown across her shoulders. “Eddie, I’ve been thinking. You know, about the job you might get with Mr. Arnold.”

“Arnold doesn’t do the hiring, Mama. He just works for the railroad like anybody else. Sure he’s a straw boss, over the metal-shop, but it doesn’t mean he could recommend me or anything. I’d have to fill out an application at the office and put down everything I’ve ever done. Including time I’ve served, and that would let me out right there.”

He saw her desperate anxiety and pleading but closed his mind to it. “Sometimes I get scared. I think maybe you’ll do something you shouldn’t, maybe get into trouble again.” She tried to pry into his closed face.

“I’m okay. I’m studying, I’ll find something. They need metalmen. Even with records, they need them.”

“Sure.” The smile lighted her face; she half turned away. “You need money for carfare tonight? I could give you a dollar.”

“Yes, I’ll need it.”

Skip wouldn’t be there tonight, he was in Las Vegas. Eddie was to meet Karen and see what news she had, whether she’d gotten a chance to inspect Stolz’s room and count up any of the money.

At eight o’clock Eddie was in the hall outside the typing room, waiting for the break. When Karen came out he gave her a shy smile, not quite sure how to act toward her in Skip’s absence. She was Skip’s girl. He wanted to be friendly, not in any way fresh. She seemed young and to Eddie terribly inexperienced. “Hello.”

She looked at him blankly and started off. They went down to the end of the hall where the big double doors stood open to the terrace and the outside stairs. Lights bloomed here and there, illuminating shrubbery and paths. She turned on the terrace to face him. For the first time Eddie noticed her manner, how tight with strain she seemed, how excited.

She put a hand on his arm. “I saw it.”

For a moment he failed to understand. Then he remembered. “You found the money?”