"Ah, that's great--I gotta go now--I gotta meet a guy on some business about the mine--I'll be back tonight." "Aw--alright, go ahead--I'll be here when you get back--you've seen to that, all right," as he came over to kiss her--"Never mind kissing me--I'm still mad." "I love you--can't you understand that," as he took her in his arms. A rap came on the door. "Who's there," called Pearl. "It's me--Ev," came the voice. "Come on in." "My God--what's happened to you--your eye--what's happened?" asked Evelyn, breathlessly. "Well, you see, it was like this," said Big Boy. "Never mind--never mind--I get it--she was late for the date and you socked her for it--ain't you the big bully?" said Evelyn, as she walked over to Pearl. "I just lost my temper, and I didn't mean to." "You said you had to go--well, go ahead--I want to talk to Ev." "Will you be here when I get back?" asked Big Boy anxiously. "Yeah--she'll be here, all right, thanks to you--scram--" answered Evelyn, as he went out the door. "My God, this thing hurts," said Pearl, as she put her hands to her head. "What happened?" "Oh, we got into an argument about last night, and he was furious, and just took a punch at me, that's all." "Well, what was you saying?" "He wanted to know about last night--and I was lying and trying not to tell him anything, and he seemed to know that I was lying, so he gives me the shiner." "Didn't I tell you about that guy--I told you not to try to kid him, or lie to him. He is the meanest louse that ever lived when he loses his temper, and if you go ahead and play around with him, you won't only get another black eye, but you'll get a beating, and one that you will remember. I know him, and I also know his reputation. It's like I said--that guy is a killer, and if you go on fooling with him, and he ever catches you with Harry, he'll kill you as sure as you're born. I'm not saying I told you so, or any of that stuff. Heavens knows I know what it is to have a black eye, and it's no fun, but remember what I'm saying--I suppose he rushed out and bought this stuff to get you to overlook the sock, eh?" "Yeah--that's what he bought it for, and he also is going to get me an apartment, and some new clothes--he said I could have anything I want--" "Well, you better take sparingly, because, sister, you will pay in the end. You let that guy go do all that, and you don't stay true to him, it's curtains for you--I'm telling you, because when he finds you are hot for Harry, he'll go up in smoke anyhow. He and Harry are the best of friends, but they are rivals as well. I'm dying for a drink--I'll bet you haven't got a drop around here, have you?" "Look in the top dresser drawer--there's a full bottle that hasn't been opened." "Thank Heavens--that's a life saver," as she fished the bottle out of the drawer, and opening it, took a long, deep drink. "Want one too, don't you? "Might as well," said Pearl, as she raised up and took the bottle Evelyn handed her.