“Did I do all right when I called up this morning, honey?” she whispered. “It sounded like I was really concerned about the dirty bastard?”

“You did just fine,” I said. “And looky, baby . . .”

I told her about the gun, how it would look like she was worried about Tom beating her up when became back—which, you see, would prove she didn’t know he was dead. And she kind of hesitated for a second, giving me a quick frowny look, but she didn’t argue about it.

“Whatever you say, Nick, honey. If you think it’s a good idea.”

“Well, it was actually Myra’s,” I said. “I just about had to go along with it, or it would have looked like I knew Tom wasn’t coming back.”

Rose nodded and said. “What the hell?”, dismissing the subject. “Maybe I can take a shot at you some time, if you’re not real nice to me.”

“That time ain’t never gonna come,” I said. And I gave her a quick hug and a squeeze, and she went on up the stairs.

She and Myra went out a little later to get the gun, and stayed out until after five.

A few minutes before six, Myra called me, and I closed the office and went upstairs to supper.

Myra did most of the talking, like she always did; shutting me up whenever I said anything. About all Rose did was agree with her, putting in a word now and then about how wonderful and smart Myra was. And that was the same as usual, too. We finished eating. Myra and Rose started clearing up the dishes. Lennie looked at me to see if I was watching him— which I was, only he didn’t know it—and then he made a sneak toward the door.

I cleared my throat to get Myra’s attention, and jerked my head at Lennie. “How about that, honey?” I said. “You know what we agreed on.”

“What?” she said. “What are you talking about now, for pity’s sake?”

“About him goin’ out at night,” I said. “You know what he’ll do, an’ it just ain’t a good idea with the election coming up.”

Myra said, “Oh, pshaw. The boy’s got to get a little air some time, doesn’t he? You can’t begrudge him that!”

“But we agreed that—”

“I did not! You just got me so mixed up I wasn’t thinking what I was saying! Anyway Sam Gaddis is bound to be beat and you know it!”

“Well, I just don’t see no use in taking chances,” I said. “I—”

“Oh, shut up! Did you ever see such a man in your life, Rose? Is it any wonder that I’m half out of my mind from living with him?” Myra scowled at me, then turned to give Lennie a smile. “You go right ahead, honey. Have a good time, but don’t stay out too late.”

He went out, after a blubbery spiteful grin at me. Myra said I’d better go to my bedroom and stay if I couldn’t make sense, which she was sure I couldn’t, so that’s what I did.