“So this is whatcha doin’. So this is why you wanted me to change my shift! Work nights instead of daytime, so you can go steppin’ around!”

Babe stiffened. Then she threw her wrap violently over the foot of the bed.

“Who’s steppin’ around? Where d’you get that steppin’ around stuff?”

As she leaned toward him he got a whiff of her whiskey breath.

“This is a fine way to come home to me.”

Babe stared back at him.

“Why, you’re lucky I came home at all!”

The Bearcat grabbed hold of her.

“Who’s the guy you was with?” he said through clenched teeth. “Tell me, do you hear?” He shook her; jealous thoughts took possession of his mind. She must have been with some man. What else could keep her out to this hour but some guy?

“Tell me who he is, an’ I’ll kick his head off!”

He shook her.

“Where was you? Who is he? God! I’ll go nuts if you don’t tell me.”

She sobered up. She had never seen him act that way before. His fingers dug into her arms. He did not mean to use his strength on her, but his frenzy got the better of him. He didn’t realize what he was doing.

Babe tried to free herself.

“What man? There wasn’t no man. There ain’t no other man!”

“Don’t tell me there wasn’t. I know it—I feel it. All night I felt there was somethin’ wrong. Damn you—tell me before I—”

He lifted her and threw her on the bed.

Babe managed to hold her temper and say: “I tell you there was no one. If you’d only give me a chance to explain.”

She was half scared. He had a wild look in his eyes.

“Tell me, tell me. Where was you?” shouted Bearcat as he leaned over the bed.

She was sober enough now to make up a convincing story. She admitted having been up in Harlem. She couldn’t think of another place quickly enough.

“I met Cokey Jenny. She felt bad ’cause I high-hatted her. She’s been sick. We had a couple of drinks. A couple more girls came in and we had a few more. There wasn’t a man in the place. I swear I haven’t looked at another man in months. I know I did wrong, dear, drinkin’ like this—I’m sorry. But I felt bad tonight and thought a couple of drinks would cheer me up.” Babe squeezed out a few tears.

She put her hand on her arm where his fingers had left red marks. The Bearcat softened. He felt that he had been a brute. He took her in his arms and kissed the bruises.