"
Jimmy turned his eyes toward Aggie to ask if it were possible
that she still approved of Zoie's inhuman plan. For answer Aggie
stroked his coat collar fondly.
"We'll give you the signal the moment the coast is clear," she
said, then she hurriedly buttoned Jimmy's large ulster and wound
a muffler about his neck. "There now, dear, do go, you're all
buttoned up," and with that she urged him toward the door.
"Just a minute," protested Jimmy, as he paused on the threshold.
"Let me get this right, if the shade is up, I stay down."
"Not at all," corrected Aggie and Zoie in a breath. "If the
shade is up, you come up."
Jimmy cast another martyred look in Zoie's direction.
"You won't hurry will you?" he said, "you know it is only
twenty-three below zero and I haven't had anything to eat
yet--and----"
"Yes, we know," interrupted the two women in chorus, and then
Aggie added wearily, "go on, Jimmy; don't be funny."
"Funny?" snorted Jimmy. "With a baby on my lap and the wash
lady's daughter, I won't be funny, oh no!"
It is doubtful whether Jimmy would not have worked himself into
another state of open rebellion had not Aggie put an end to his
protests by thrusting him firmly out of the room and closing the
door behind him. After this act of heroic decision on her part,
the two women listened intently, fearing that he might return;
but presently they heard the bang of the outer door, and at last
they drew a long breath of relief.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138