«Think what over?»
«Oh he's priceless, he's forgotten it already! I just proposed to Brad and he's forgotten it!»
«I'd like to make a reappraisal. I feel I may have been unjust to you, completely wrong in fact.»
«Decent of you.»
«Not at all. I want to be-at peace with everybody-at this time-«Is it Christmas?» said Arnold.
«No, just-I'll read your books, Arnold-I'll do it-humbly and without prejudice-please believe that-and please forgive me for-all my-shortcomings and-«Brad's become a saint.»
«Are you feeling all right, Bradley?»
«Just look at him. I guess it's the transfiguration!»
«I must go-good-bye, good-bye-and-be well-be well-« Waving rather awkwardly to them both and eluding the hand which Christian stretched out to me I got to the door and swung myself through the tiny hall and out into the street. It appeared to be evening. What had happened to the day?
As I neared the corner of the street I heard running steps behind me. It was Francis.
«Brad, I just wanted to say-Wait, please, wait-I wanted to say I'll stick by her whatever happens, I'll-«Who?»
«Priscilla.»
«Oh yes. How is she?»
«Asleep.»
«Thank you for helping poor Priscilla.»
«Brad, I wanted to make sure you weren't angry with me.»
«Why should I be?»
«Not sick with me after all the things I said and crying on you and all, some people it just sicks them if you throw up all your woes like that, and I'm afraid I-«Forget it.»
«And Brad. I wanted to say, just one more thing-I just wanted to say-whatever happens-I'm on your side.»
I stopped and looked at him and he smirked and bit his fat lower lip and the little eyes came questing slyly up. «In the coming-great-battle,» I said, «whatever it-may turn out-to be-thank you, Francis Marloe.»
He looked a little surprised. I gave a sort of military salute and walked on. He ran after me again.
«I'm very fond of you, Brad, you know that.»
«Bugger off.»
«Brad, please could I have some more cash-I'm sorry to bother you but Christian keeps me so short-I gave him five pounds.
