Page:Jay Little - Maybe—Tomorrow.pdf/76

 she said, still knitting on a pair of woolen socks. "Are you hungry? It's still on the table if you are."

"You're mad at me … aren't you?"

Carol's head came up and some of the irritation flashed back into her eyes. Clayton flashed a sudden grin. "No," she said, "I just wish you'd let me know, dear. I hate to have the table messed up."

"You look good enough to eat … I like you when you're mad. Not too mad … but just like now …" He gazed into her hazel eyes, looking up at him below long, sweeping lashes. "Give me a little kiss, and tell me you'll forgive me this time."

"Stop, Clayton. You'll mess my lipstick and I don't have time to …"

"Where ya going, honey?"

"Jane's coming by and we're going over to Mrs. Collins' for some bridge. She wanted you to come but I didn't know where you were or when you'd be back. I thought maybe you'd gone to the oil field. Don't you want to come with us?"

"Not tonight. I'm tired of cards and Monita's a lousy player. Always plays the wrong card and never knows how many trumps are out." He walked toward the kitchen and Carol followed. "Where's Gay," he asked.

"He's gone to Egan with Robert."

"Who?"

"Robert Blake."

"Oh."

"I didn't want him to go. He's been running around too much at nights lately. You shouldn't have let him go to that dance last night. Especially on school nights."

"Why did you let him go then?"

"He wanted to so badly … and Robert's such a nice clean boy."

"Carol, he's growing up. I don't think he's running around too much." He poured himself a cup of coffee. "You can't keep him tied to your apron strings all his life. It's about time he got out with some boys for a change. This Blake boy seems like a fine boy. I'm glad he's taken up with Gay. Maybe he can interest Gay in some new sports … I don't like to see him sit around here like a love-sick girl. I want him to be happy and I'm afraid he's not now." 66