"Make it good," whispered Patricia, "or I'll tell the girls what you called them." "Basically, I'm honest," said Thompson in a cheerful voice. "I bribed them well. Their known and accepted jobs were to sidetrack the un-heavenly twins. Both Ginger and Tanny swore that nothing short of open seduction would prevent them from leaving the aisle clear for my frontal attack." "Hm-m-m--so Pat Kennebec was Target for Tonight?" "Do you dislike me for being honest?" "Is that honesty a cover for deeper dis--" "Pat, please. Don't say it." "Then what shall I say?" "Tell me--did you like it?" Patricia looked up at Billy Thompson. "Now _I'm_ asking. Can you take it?" "I can take it," said Billy. "Tell me to go and jump in the lake, if you want. I did what I did because--" "Billy, it was rather nice." "It--?" "I liked it." "Ah ... er--" "Billy?" "Yes?" "Best you can do?" The silence was significant. Kennebec, eavesdropping, swallowed deeply, and left quietly. * * * * * "Billy?" "Patricia?" "You always call me by my full name?" "I like to hear it." "Billy, what do we do now?" "We do nothing. As far as I'm concerned, Patricia, we've just met. From here on, we do all we can to know one another better." "I--" The beer and sandwiches were growing warm. "--won't be able to know--" And it was getting later. "--if you keep my eyes closed all the time." Billy took a deep breath. "The better to keep you from finding out all about me, my dear." She held his face back between her hands. "Do you realize?" she asked. The head between her hands shook. "You have really known me for less than ... than six hours. And you're making protestations--" "You forget," he reminded her carefully, "that I'd been contemplating Patricia Kennebec for a long time. There are some things that are worth waiting for; things that require planning. I didn't know what the score would be at the end of this evening, Patricia, but I wanted so to find out. I've known you for a long time, Patricia. And, remember, little lady, that one need not fight bitterly for what he wants--sometimes it comes better if one bides his time and lets the fighters run themselves out of wind. From here, Patricia, let no man get in my way, lest he get his legs clipped out from under him." "Supposing that I like him?" said Patricia. "I'll only be fluffed off once," warned Billy. "There's one thing that I have that few other people have, Patricia. I can't really read minds, but I've discovered, ever since that little battle out there near Sscantoo, that I _feel_, and deeply, the truth of any man's feelings. But enough of that. We'll have time to quarrel later. Right now, Patricia--"