A Maid and a Million Men: the candid confessions of Leona Canwick, censored indiscreetly by James G. Dunton
John Stuart Mill · en
“Yes, I know about that. He thought it was me—in fact, he’s had his
doubts about it up until just recently. Now he knows it wasn’t me, but
I’ve got to explain us to him some way.”
“Tell him we’re twin brothers,” he suggested.
“I guess I’ll have to,” I agreed. “But I told him before that I couldn’t
imagine who you were. And calling you ‘Leon’—that will call for an
explanation, too. But I’ll settle him. He can wait. The important thing
is to get old Pierre fixed up. How about it?”
He started to smile as he replied, “But his place isn’t open to-day and
I’m going on leave to Paris in the morning. I don’t see how we can make
it now.”
“When you coming back?”
“Ten days—but my outfit will be moving out of here then, if not sooner.
We’re going up to take over a hospital near Toul.”
“Then we’re going to see Lisa and Pierre before you go. What time you
going in the morning?”
“Too early to get down here first.”
“Then come on.... We’ll find them somewhere.” And I took his arm and
marched him up the street to the corner where Le Chien Rouge is located.
I tried the front door and found it locked and barred, but around the
corner there was another door which I assumed led to their living
quarters and on which I knocked loudly and long.
Finally the door was opened a crack and Lisa looked out. When she saw
who it was, she threw the door open and welcomed us both with open arms
and many kisses, and to Leon she said, “I would not beleeve she was not
you onteel she prove it!”
Leon laughed in embarrassment, but just at that moment I spied Ben and
Esky coming around the corner, so I pushed Leon in and called to Ben
that I’d be with him in a few minutes.
Inside I quickly told Lisa that she had to explain everything to her
husband. “It makes no difference about his talking. We must risk that.”
“Do not fret, chère!” she argued. “It is but words that open his mouth.
I weel feex him.”
We argued back and forth until she finally consented, and I suggested
that she call her husband so that we could prove everything to him at
once.
“But he is not here,” declared Lisa.
“Then to-night?” I asked. She nodded. “Can you meet me here at eight,
Leon?” He reluctantly agreed to come.
“He will be here sure at that hour,” Lisa told us as we departed.