Page:Frank Owen - Woman Without Love (1949 reprint).djvu/101

 I've been out on a bat for a week. Don't let that worry you though, I've got lots of dough."

Reba shuddered as she gazed upon him, but she made no protest as they were shown to a tiny dining room downstairs. In a corner was a couch to be used in case of emergency.

One of the colored servants brought in large plates of chicken soup which she placed before them.

"We're in a great hurry," he told the girl, "so rush the meal through" As he spoke he winked slyly at Reba.

Then he sat down and commenced to eat. He ate so fast and ravenously that the soup spilled out of the corners of his mouth and dripped down his chin. He made no effort to brush it away. Between sips, he tore off huge pieces of bread and fairly gorged himself. Then he belched loudly.

Reba sat and stared at him with horror. What was she sup posed to do with this man? He noticed the terror in her eyes. At once he sprang to his feet.

"Why I haven't kissed you yet," he said.

He caught her in his arms. He pressed his thick lips to hers. The soup on his chin wet her mouth. His breath was vile with whiskey. So hard did he kiss her, she almost shrieked. But she clenched her fists. She must not cry out. She had decided on this life and she would not surrender.

During the meal she ate practically nothing. She just sat and stared at this monster as though she were hypnotized. Ivan was in his element. He told filthy jokes and laughed uproariously. He made a pig of himself as he devoured the roast chicken. He ate with his hands and when his fingers became greasy, he rubbed them in his hair. Every once in a while he leaned over and kissed her. Her lips were cold. She felt as though she were dying.

Finally he rose to his feet.

"Now lead the way to your room!" he cried. "At last we arrive at the dessert, the finish of a most excellent feast."

Reba's nerves broke, then, completely. With a shriek she dashed upstairs, up flight after flight until she reached the apartment of Madame Leota. Cursing like a fiend, calling her obscene names, Ivan tore after her. Madame sat in the centre