Page:Angna Enters - Among the Daughters.djvu/358

 "You don't mind, Miss Claudel, it I speak privately with Paul for a minute?" asked Jacques.

She left them and went to look at the paintings. The only familiar painting was the basket of hepaticas, which gave her a jolt. I certainly was a foolish kid, thinking Clem knew everything because he was older and had lived in Paris France. Oh well!

First the worst, Second the same, Last the best, Of all the game. But how can you tell when he will be the last? The other paintings were what you saw in Congress or bread and ears of corn and things that had been on Aunt Mabel's kitchen table, but in the paintings not looking so good to eat. But then, she thought, I don't know a thing about it, and I'm too excited about the title for the Laurencin number to care. It gives me all sorts of new ideas …

Vermillion observed Jacques's nervousness. What the hell was Simone up to now! "Well, what's happened?"

"She will tell you she returns to Paris next week and that I am deserting her. The truth is I like America and wish to remain. She has had an offer of a revue on Broadway which she has refused. Please persuade her to accept."

"You know no one can change her mind about these things."

"No one but you."

"She is lonely in New York."

"So," Jacques said, "it is like that."

"Yes," Vermillion said briefly.

"You appreciate my situation," Jacques persisted. "I love her dearly but after so many years is it too much to ask a little security? 1 have had an offer of a Hollywood studio to make arrangements, and such offers do not come often. I am no longer young and have nothing but what she pays me, and cannot indefinitely run in search of her each time she disappears. Besides, I have come to love this new young country. You think I am disloyal?"

"No, but it's hard to see her without you on whom she has counted these many years. Where will she find someone who understands so well how to play for her?"

"Oh, as to that," Jacques said wryly, "I can reassure you. She is bent on having that young harpist play for her also."

"Hal?" 346