Fanning Arnholt, president of the National Phalanx and authority on subversive activities, will open his state-wide lecture series tonight with an address at 8:30 in Orpheum Hall.
Speaking on 'Our Schools-Battleground of the Underground,' Arnholt is expected to launch an all- out attack on a large group of textbooks which he claims are subversive. His appearance here is sponsored by local chapters of the Phalanx.
'The scarlet poison of Un-Americanism is flowing unchecked through the educational arteries of this great state,' the noted patriotic leader declared upon his arrival here last night. 'The antidote is an aroused citizenry which will force its legislative representatives into the proper and drastic action…'
So that Doc's crowd could make one last raid on the treasury.
I tossed the paper aside, and got up to help Henry with the breakfast tray. I told him to take everything back but the toast, orange juice and coffee. He fidgeted around the table, uncomfortably, doing everything twice.
'Something on your mind, Henry?' I asked.
'Well-' he hesitated, 'you know that money you had, Mr. Cosgrove? There in your desk?'
I nodded. 'What about it?'
'Well…1 don't know whether you noticed yet or not, but it's gone. Dr. Luther took it. I thought I'd better tell you in case it slips his mind, since Willie and I are in your room so much.'
'I understand,' I said. 'Did the doctor say why he was taking it?'
'No, sir. He just came in while I was cleaning up yesterday and got it.'
'Thanks,' I said. 'Thanks for telling me, Henry. I won't mention that you said anything.'
He gave me a grateful smile and left. I sat down at the table and munched at a piece of toast.
Nine dollars. Nine instead of a hundred and fifty-nine.
Sipping my suddenly tasteless orange juice, I knew what his explanation would be. Without looking around, I knew something else: that he was there in the room with me.
I don't know whether Henry had left the door ajar, or whether he had opened it very quietly. But he was standing there, leaning against the wall, staring at me reflectively through the thick-rimmed glasses.
I poured coffee, took a swallow of it, and half-turned my head. 'Good morning, Doc. Coffee?'
'Good morning, Pat,' he said, tiredly. 'No, thanks.'
He crossed to the bed and sat down. I turned my back again and went on with my breakfast, listening to the rattle of the newspaper.
'Pat.'
'Yes, Doc?'
'I took the money you had in your desk. I thought we'd get that bank account opened for you.'
'Fine,' I said.
'I won't be able to get down today, though. Maybe we can make it tomorrow.'
'Fine,' I repeated. For I had expected that, and what else was there for me to say?
The paper rattled again, and there was another long silence. I drank my coffee and waited. Waited for him to read the story about Eggleston. To re-read it, perhaps, and then stare at me, looking at my hair and my clothes and remembering that I had been out late last night.
His voice was overly casual when he spoke.
'That's a nice-looking outfit you have on, Pat. I don't believe I've seen you in it before.'
'Thank you,' I said. 'I thought I'd put on something light with the weather getting so warm.'
I heard him light a cigarette. I even heard his slow meditative puffing.
'Why don't you drive your own car today, Pat? The battery's apt to run down if you don't drive it once in a while.'
'I think I will,' I said.
'You can put the state car here in the garage.'
'Thank you. I'll do that.'
He didn't speak again until I was drinking the last of my coffee, coffee that I didn't want. 'By the way, Pat-that group I'm having in tonight. I'd like to use your room for them, if you don't mind.'
'Anything you say, Doc,' I said.
'We'll have to shift the furniture around a bit. Bring in some other chairs, and so on. If you can get your dinner outside it'll give us a chance to get everything ready before our guests get here.'
'I'll be glad to help,' I said.
'No, no. Henry and Willie can take care of everything. Just drop in at eight-thirty, or a few minutes before, rather. We'll be listening to a radio program, and I don't want anyone coming in after it's started.'
I nodded and turned around.
He got up from the bed and sauntered toward the door, his eyes shifting so that they avoided mine.
'It's a tough world isn't it, Pat?' he said, in a tired flat voice.
'I used to think so,'! said, 'until you came along.'
'What do you mean by that?' He flicked me a sharp glance.
'I was referring to all you'd done for me,' I said. 'The clothes, the job, the car, the home, the-well, the friendship you've given me. Unselfishly. Simply because I needed help. How can I feel it's a bad world as long as there's a man like you in it?'
A slow flush spread over his face. His lower lip drew back from beneath the protruding teeth.
'See you tonight, Pat,' he said abruptly, and the door slammed behind him.
25
I called Rita Kennedy's office.
I heard the sharp intake of her breath as I identified myself.
'I've got some more of the forms ready,' I said. 'I wonder if you'd like me to bring them in today?'
'I-don't bother,' she said. 'Just forget about them. And leave your car at home. We'll send someone to pick it up in a day or two.'
'Oh,' I said. 'You mean I'm fired?'
'I'm sorry, Pat. Your check will be drawn up as of the close of business last night. We're unable to keep a man like you on the payroll. That…that isn't any reflection on your work, you understand.'
I understood. There'd been inquiries already and Rita had answered them truthfully. '
'When will I receive the check?' I asked.
'It'll be several days, I'm afraid. I wouldn't wait on it.'
'I'm broke, Miss Kennedy,' I said.
'Broke!' she said. 'Oh, good lord!' And then the concern went out of her voice and it was as clipped and curt as it had been at our first meeting. 'That's too bad, Pat. I've done all I can. Much more than I should have.'
'I know,' I said. 'I appreciate it.'
'Don't bother to thank me for it. Ever. I haven't really done anything. I can't be expected to
