Page:Bad Girl (1929).pdf/69

 cally engaged. She was anxious to hear what Jim would say.

With her hair dancing in a gleeful little bush about her face, she returned to the parlor. Jim had stepped down from the chair and was regarding the curtains speculatively.

"Why the hell ain't you around once in a while to give a hand?" he asked Dot.

"She's more handicap than help," Edna returned swiftly. Dot smiled at her. Good old Edna.

"I got some news for you," Dot said to Jim.

"Spring it," he said.

"For you, too, Dad," Dot said. "Put your book down."

Mr. Haley set aside his magazine resignedly. Children were a trial at times. Edna waited and did a little guessing. She anticipated Dot's announcement.

"I'm going to get married."

Jim eyed her coldly. "Is that the way you let us know about it?" he asked. "I thought girls always brought their fellows around and showed them off first to their families."

Dot had backing now. It wasn't hard to answer Jim sharply. "I guess girls do," she said, "in families where they ain't treated like prisoners by their brothers."

Jim walked over to her. "See here," he said, "maybe you don't know it, but I've been a God damn good brother to you."

"In some ways," said Dot.

"In all ways. I've stood for murder from you. Many a fellow who was practically supporting his sister would have thrown her out if she came home at twelve o'clock from Coney Island after bumming around with God knows who. I guess you've forgotten that little happening."