The Mermaid of Druid Lake, and Other Stories — John Shaqi
The Mermaid of Druid Lake, and Other StoriesBump, Charles Weathers
Science
The Mermaid of Druid Lake, and Other Stories
Bump, Charles Weathers
Fiction; Short stories
EVELYN--I'll call you up later, Genevieve. I can tell you all about
Atlantic City then.
SHE--He had no business coming in like that, Evelyn. But I suppose we'll
have to let him have it. Goodbye.
HE--I'm very grateful to both of you, I'm sure.
SHE--Well, after all, we were only gossiping, and I'm sorry we did not
understand sooner.
HE--Thank you again. (After a pause.) There goes a click. I guess I can
call Central now. By Jove! that girl had spirit, and at the same time
showed generosity in saying she was sorry. I wonder who she is.
Genevieve the other one called her. Genevieve who?
II.
(Five Minutes Later.)
SHE--Hello, Central. Please give me "Information." Is that
"Information"? I want to know who has 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-y. My
number? I'm on the same line. No, no trouble. Just want to know. Who'd
you say? Mrs. Mary Vincent, 286 West Lanvale street. Thank you so much.
III.
(Ten Minutes Later.)
HE--Hello, Central, I want to know who has 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-m.
What's that? You'll give me "Information"? All right. Hello,
"Information," I want to find out who leases 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-m.
No, not "y." I said "m." Somebody else wanted "y"? Well, that's my
number. I want "m." Mr. John D. Platt, 1346 Linden avenue? What's that?
Oh, Pratt. Thank you.
IV.
(Wednesday, October 24.)
SHE--Oh! Evelyn, I've got something great to tell you. You remember that
man who "butt in" last night on our chat? Well, I've found out all about
him. His name is Carroll Vincent, and he's just out of Princeton and is
going to study law at the University of Maryland. How did I find out?
Oh! I can't tell you all that over the 'phone. I just used my wits. You
know Genevieve isn't going to get left. I'd die if he----
HE--Is this Cent----
SHE--Goodness gracious! there he is on the line again!
HE--I beg your pardon. I'll retire gracefully.
SHE--Don't apologize. You could not help it.
HE--I don't like to be a "butter-in," don't you know?
SHE--I hope you got the doctor all right last night. I'd be so sorry if
my foolish delay caused you any trouble.
HE--Thank you, I got him all right.
EVELYN (at the other end)--I'll call you some other time, Genevieve.
HE--No; let me get off this time.
SHE (after a pause)--I wonder if he has really gone.
EVELYN--How did you find out who he was? Go on, tell me.
SHE--I'm afraid he may be listening.
EVELYN--Do you think he'd do that deliberately?
SHE--Certainly, I don't. I think he must be just fine. Jack Smallwood
says he's a stunning-looking fellow. I'm just crazy to see him.
EVELYN--Did you ask Jack Smallwood about him?
SHE--Why, of course, you goose! They live in the same block.
EVELYN--You're getting on famously, Genevieve.
SHE--That's another slam, Evelyn. You're just jealous, that's what the
matter with you. Next time I call you up you'll know it.
EVELYN--I'm sorry, Genevieve. I was only teasing you.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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