“So you are. She doesn’t have too many of them, does she? Friends, I mean.”
“Women don’t like her because she’s pretty and sexy. With me that’s no issue, because I’m pretty and sexy, too.”
“The hell you are. I hadn’t noticed.”
“Brothers don’t. Not normal ones. Do you think I could be included in the invitation?”
“I doubt it. There probably wouldn’t be enough. Besides, I was invited out of compassion. I’m a poor young bachelor with nothing to look forward to but his own cooking or a Greasy Spoon somewhere.”
“Well, you’re welcome to your old ragout. I’ll make Ben take me over to the Student Union. I’ll even pick up the check if necessary.”
“You may find that a little bit difficult, little sister. Ben’s gone.”
“Gone? What do you mean?”
“How can I be more explicit? Taken off. Deserted his nest.”
“Did he go with Terry?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that. With Jay confined by his duties at the university, why should they go off together? For the accomplishment of certain things, there’s no place like home.”
“You have a lecherous mind, Farley Moran. What makes you think I was thinking of such certain things?”
“Weren’t you?”
“To be honest, I was. Ben’s an enchanting little scoundrel. I may decide to marry him if he ever shows signs of being anything more than a perennial college student. The only thing is, I suspect him of being susceptible to seduction.”
“What makes you suspect that?”
“Never mind. Did Ben say where he was going?”
“No. In fact, he was damn secretive about it. He said he’d be back Sunday evening.”
“Well, blast his treacherous little, heart He’s simply never around when I want him. Are you sure you don’t know where he went?”
“I said I didn’t. Don’t you believe me?”
“No. And it may take you quite a while to convince me, so I guess I’d better come in while you try.”
She walked past him into the room and sat down on the sofa, crossing her knees and thereby displaying — thanks to the short skirt — a pair of legs that were extremely ornamental as well as useful. Farley followed her as far as a chair, into which he collapsed.
“There’s nothing to be gained by nagging me,” he said. “I’ve told you all I know.”
“Nevertheless, it might be interesting to speculate.”
“Well, it’s obvious enough, if you ask me. No speculation is necessary.”
“I’m not so sure. Just because he was secretive is no sign he had some kind of assignation, or something. As a matter of fact, if that were the case, the little devil would probably have bragged all over the place about it. Men have no honor in such matters.”
“Do you think so?”
“Still, one can’t discount the possibility entirely. He might do something like that just to annoy me.”
“Why should it annoy you if you don’t know?”
“He may tell me afterward. In the meantime, I’m forced to speculate, which is even worse than knowing. What time did he leave?”
“About two. Just a little while before Terry left.”
“Was Terry here?”
“I said so, didn’t I? I thought I did.”
“I’m sure you didn’t. What did she want?”
“She wanted to borrow three fresh carrots for the ragout.”
“What on earth would make her think she’d find fresh carrots in this warren?”
“Well, it just happens that we had some. Ben bought them yesterday at the market.”
“If that isn’t just like him! He’s completely unpredictable. It shows, however, that he would be useful around a house. I wonder if I shouldn’t be a little more generous and give him a fair chance.”
“It might keep him home weekends. Incidentally, speaking of generosity, how about a fiver?”
“You had your monthly allowance from our wayward daddy. What the devil did you do with it?”
“My monthly allowance is hardly adequate. By the time the old man gets through paying alimony, there’s not much left for his lawful progeny.”
“As you know, there isn’t anything at all for this lawful progeny. As an efficient secretary with a thorough command of shorthand, as well as attractive legs, I earn my own way. When are you going to get that law degree, anyhow? You’re already two years past due.”
“You know I had to lay off and work a couple of years.”
“Perhaps you’d better lay off and work a couple more. Every month, what with twenty bucks here and ten there, you’re costing me at least fifty bucks.”
“Oh, come on, Fan. A lousy fiver won’t kill you. I need some gas for my car.”
“Why don’t you sell that heap? What business has a pauper got with a car?”
“Are you going to let me have the fiver or not? Be a good sis, Fan. Some day you’ll get it all back with interest.”
“I suppose I’ll have to. Here, damn it. And make it last.”
She dug the five out of her purse and, after wadding it in her hand, tossed it to him. It fell short between them, and he eyed it for a moment, as if not quite sure that picking it up was worth the effort.
“Thanks, Fan, you’re a doll. I’d offer you a beer, but Ben and Terry and I drank them all.”
“That’s all right. I prefer a martini, which I’m going up and fix for myself this instant.”
“I don’t suppose you’d want me to come up and have one with you?”
“You’re right, I wouldn’t. You have your ragout. And wash your face and hands before you go, for God’s sake.”
Fan got up and left, stepping carefully over the crumpled five-spot. Walking to the stairs, she saw that Orville Reasnor had vacated the vestibule.
Upstairs in her apartment she peeled to the buff, showered and, after a fierce struggle, got into a sweater and a pair of adhesive pants. This done, she went to the kitchen and mixed two martinis, one of which she poured and began to drink. Since she had been practically deserted by Ben, the devious little devil, she supposed she might as well eat out of the refrigerator and spend the evening at home. There was a small steak to broil, a potato to bake, and some head-lettuce for a salad. There was also this martini to finish drinking, another to follow, and more where they came from if it began to seem like a good thing. Later, for amusement, there was Joseph Andrews in the bedroom.
Not so amusing as Ben, Fan thought.
Where had he gone? Fan wondered.
And with whom?
If anybody?
3
At the precise time that Fanny was placing her potato in the oven, her brother Farley was crossing the hall. It was one minute to six, and Farley, following Fanny’s departure from his apartment, had not only washed his hands and face, he had also put on a reputable shirt, and a pair, of pants with a crease in them. His hair was brushed; his shoes, which had replaced the soiled sneakers, were shined. He had not gone so far as a coat and tie; but he had at least transformed himself into a presentable dinner guest, however casual. As such, with an air of anticipation, he knocked on Terry’s door.
The door was opened by a tall young man with that particular kind of thinness which forecasts, instead of increasing corpulence, a gaunt and cadaverous middle age. His hair, still thick, was light brown and limp, brushed laterally across a long skull from a low part on the left side. He looked out upon the world, including Farley, through thick lenses set in enormous black frames. Although he was still on the nether side of thirty, he already gave a harried effect, as though he had hunted too long in economic cyles in search of a way out.