“Okay, okay.” He stopped her abruptly and then seemed unable to speak himself for a minute. Finally he said, quickly, “I’m losing him, Laura.” “Oh, Jack!” She was suddenly full of sympathy, but he cut her off again. “What the hell,” he said cynically. “I expected it. I _predicted_ it. And I know why.” “Why?” “Mother, you have a short memory.” He smiled wryly. “My little friend likes nice things. Nice things cost money. And besides,” he looked at his shoes, scraping one toe along a crack in the pavement, “I can’t handle him. I should shove his teeth down his throat. I should make him behave. And I can’t. I feel more like falling on my knees and worshipping him. He has no respect for me.” He spoke so softly that Laura had to strain to hear him. She put her hands on his arms. “Jack, he’s not worth your time,” she said. “Anybody who would take advantage—” “No, no, no, it’s normal. In this abnormal world we live in, you and I. If I were young and beautiful, he’d settle for that. But I’m not. I’m middle-aged and ugly. And a sap. So it takes something else ... money. I wish I had the knack of being a millionaire.” “Damn it, Jack, you need somebody who can appreciate you.” He laughed bitterly, but she went on. “You make me hate Terry already without ever having seen him.” “No, Laura,” he said seriously. “Don’t hate him. He’s very young. He’ll learn. It’s my fault. I can’t give him what he needs.” “Dollar bills?” Jack sighed. “That’s my last chance. I know it takes something else, but I haven’t got it. And now I haven’t got the dollar bills, either.” “If I were a boy I’d fall madly in love with you,” Laura said. This was such a startling remark that Jack had to drop his cynicism and take it in the spirit in which it was given. “Thanks, Mother,” he said softly. He looked at her, his ugly intelligent face prey to a number of strong emotions that he made no attempt to hide. It was a measure of his regard for Laura that he could let her see him stripped of wit and laughter like this. “How much do you have in the bank, Laura?” Laura stared a little at him. But then she said quickly, “All I have is yours, Jack. It’s not much, but if it’ll help....” He smiled a little and then he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You’re a doll,” he said. “We both know this is a losing investment. But it’ll give me a few more days with him. After that....” He shrugged. “Well, I always seem to live through these things. I don’t know why.” They stood uncertainly on the corner for a minute and suddenly he asked, “Where are you going now?” “Home.” “To Marcie?” “Yes. I hope Burr hasn’t tried to bother her.” “He’s pretty sick about the whole thing. I think he’ll drink it off for a day or two. You should, too. The whole thing looks screwy to me.” He looked at her. “Come have a nightcap with me.” “Where?” “The Cellar. Where else?” “I’m afraid I’ll run into Beebo.” He shrugged. “I’ve gotten to know her better.” He gazed away from her thoughtfully. “You have?”