Some of Henri's poise was back and all of his smile. "Mix her a strong one, Teddy boy. Build up her resistance." Hamburger, Ann had called it, but it was like ambrosia. The talk flowed around Ted; food, fashion, furniture, flowers. Henri was witty and articulate. Ann appreciative and responsive. Ted present. All the things he'd read, and nothing to say. Mann he'd read, and Joyce. Shakespeare and Spinoza, Emerson, Shelley and.... And there was a lull momentarily in the conversation. Ted said quickly, "I batted .314 at Houston. That's in the Texas League." Ann stared at him, smiling. Henri stared at him, smirking. They went back to their discussion. What weapons did he have? He sat there while the talk poured over him, turning into a wrathful midget, hating them both. At two, he rose, from the table, "I ... have a golf date. Hate to leave you two alone." "We'll try to get along, old boy," Henri said smilingly. "Keep your eye on the ball." Ann said, "Easy at the nineteenth hole, honey." She lifted her lips for his kiss. They were soft and cool. He didn't have a golf date. He didn't want to leave them. But he couldn't sit there, growing smaller and duller by the minute. He was an artist and an athlete, not a worm. * * * * * He drove to the country club, and sat at the bar. Pete Orcutt and Johnny Devlin came in about three-thirty, and they settled down in the card room to some canasta. Pete said, "Henri's in town. Done the Blair's place for them." "I know," Johnny said. "Thank heavens my mate's at the lake. How about yours, Pete?" "In Denver, visiting her mother." Ted said evenly, "Henri's sitting at my house, boring my wife to death, right now. I don't worry about Henri." Pete coughed. Johnny studied his hand intently. Neither of them said a word. The game went on. Ted had too many wild cards, or not enough. Nothing worked. He fed Johnny and got garbage from Pete. He drank and simmered and watched their scores pile up. At five-thirty, he rose and said, "I don't mind losing to you guys, but you can't expect me to support you." He wrote out two checks. "Bad loser," Pete said, winking at Johnny. Johnny said, "We'll have to get some golf in, Ted. Give me a ring, any time. I'm a free man, for two weeks." Ted nodded, and left. It was six when he got home. There was another note: _Irma needed a fourth in a hurry and she sounded so desperate, and I knew you wouldn't mind. I might be late._ _XXX_ _A_ He looked at the x's doubtfully. It wasn't like Ann to add symbolic kisses. He had enough whiskey in him so that it didn't seem improper to phone. Irma answered. "Hello, Irma. Is Ann there?" "She is. Checking, Ted?" "Of course not," he said stiffly. "May I speak with her, please?" Ann's voice. "Nothing wrong, I hope?" "Well, is Henri with you?"