Page:They Knew What They Wanted.pdf/117

Rh

From what Amy was tellin’ me this mornin’, she’s been a-havin’ a helluva hard life for a girl, an’ if she come through straight like she did, well, there ain’t no credit due nobody but just only herself, and that’s a fact.

You’re a goddam smart fella, Joe.

I dunno how smart I am, Tony, but you can’t tell me much. Not about women, you can’t. Believe me, a girl gets a lousy deal any way you look at it. [He reflects upon this for an instant before he illustrates.] Take a fella, now, a young fella like me, see? It’s goin’ to do him good to knock around an’ have his troubles an’ all. [A solemn shake of the head.] But knockin’ around just raises hell with a girl. She can’t stand it. She can’t stand it, because it ain’t in her nature to get away with the whole show like a fella can. [ is much impressed and signifies approval with a grunt.] If a fella wants a meal, he swipes it, don’t he? A girl can’t be swipin’ things. It ’ud make her feel bad. She’d think she was doin’ somethin’ wrong. [This surprises, but he is willing to take word for it.] Gee, I sure would hate to be a woman!