Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/118

 He saw the broad, square face all bronze-like, saw the shaven cheeks still showing traces of beard. He looked at the strands of hair across the forehead, falling carelessly over it. He wanted to say he would go but he couldn't.

"You understand, don't you, Bob? Come with us … please?"

Blake looked down at him with a grinning, suspicious look. He wanted to play a little more but on noticing Gaylord's quivering lips, said warmly, "Don't you know I'm only kidding? Don't take things so seriously, Gay. I wouldn't break your date for anything. I sure wouldn't like you to break one with me, and if I had more time, I'd be glad to come with you. I'm supposed to see Joy … have you seen her?"

"She was here just a minute ago. I don't know where she went."

"I'll find her … by the way … how ya feel?"

"Fine."

"Me too … I had fun last night … I'll see you soon, huh Gay?"

"Any time."

"Bye … and keep your nose clean." He turned to go but stopped and looked back, grinning. "And I hope you have a lousy meal."

Blake lunged down the sidewalk and propelled himself across the campus. His body swayed in perfect unison with his legs and muscular arms. Gaylord stood there with an air of glittering triumph. He noticed the back of the head. It was the most beautiful head he had ever seen. As the light overhead caught the oiled hair, an unexpected flash leaped obliquely from it, sending out a tremor of sensual pleasure to Gaylord.

That's my friend, Gaylord mused … I'm going to do everything in my power to keep him so. His eyes narrowed against the bright noon-hour sun but in his heart was almost a natural air of arrogance, and he found this drab world of land and gulfs delightful.

Rogers came up out-of-breath and panting. "Phew!" he sighed, wiping his forehead. "At last … bet you thought I wasn't coming. I've been waiting at the middle door." He sighed again. "I've been to 108