"If you two must have your fun, then listen to me--I'll stay in the other bedroom, and if anything should happen that Big Boy would come in any time, Harry, you come and get in bed with me, then he couldn't say anything," explained Evelyn. "Ev, you're some little thinker--what would we do without you?" "Oh, nuts," exclaimed Evelyn. "I'm going to bed--good-night," as she arose and went into the bedroom. Harry and Pearl sat for a long time on the divan, holding each other's hands, not saying a word. This was the third night they had known each other, and events since that time had been rather swift. "I've seen lots of girls come down here, and stay around for a while, then maybe make a good marriage, then others go to the dogs, but of all the lot you are the first one that I've ever really been in love with," said Harry, softly. "I love you, too, Harry, and it's my first real love, but I don't quite know how you can love me when you know what I'm doing and what I am--don't that make a difference?" "It might to some people, but not to me--but you see I couldn't give you what Big Boy can." "You mean you can't give me the money he can?" "That's it--he can give you everything you could ever want--money, clothes, cars--or just anything you happen to want--why, look, he has already given you a thousand dollars--I doubt if I'll ever have a thousand in my whole life--I'm just a bum singer." "But just the same I love you, Harry--why couldn't we do this--I've an idea--let me string this guy along and get a load of dough, and then we can beat it and start fresh some place where no one knows us--would you like that?" "Well, I don't know about that--I'll have to think it over--that is a little too much to say yes to on so short a notice, and not a nice thing to do." "What's the difference? What I'm doing already is not exactly what the general run of people would call decent." "Oh, that's nothing--I know women about this town that have good husbands and friends, and they step out on the side for the dough, to buy something they want, but they were respectable girls before they married, but this much I know--if I marry a girl like you, I can depend on you being on the level with me--I've seen enough of life down here to know that." "Suppose we talk this over some time tomorrow or later. We should get some sleep tonight," said Pearl, as she laid her head on his shoulder. Harry pulled her close to him, all was quiet in the hotel, and the streets were quiet. The rest of the night was bathed in liquid silver of a belated moon, but inside each of them there raged a tornado of love, desire, passion, that was soon to be quelled by complete possession of each other, then a sweet sleep of quiet and peace, that equaled the quietness of the silent city outside.