The Mermaid of Druid Lake and Other Stories Part 5

HE--h.e.l.lo! Is this Central? Well, give----

SHE--No, it is not Central, and I wish you'd please get off the line.

HE--I beg your pardon, I thought you were the girl at Central.

SHE--No, I am not. I wish you wouldn't break in. The line's busy. You were saying, Evelyn----

HE--I'm sorry to bother you. I don't seem to be able to get Central.

SHE--I do wish you would leave us alone! You were describing that dress you wore at the Marlborough dance, Evelyn.

EVELYN--How is he on this wire?

SHE--I don't know. I suppose he has the other 'phone on this line.

HE--I beg your pardon again. Do I understand you to say this is a two-party line?

SHE--What number are you?

HE--Wait till I read it. Why this is Madison 7-9-3-1-y.

SHE--And I'm Madison 7-9-3-1-m. So you see, we're on the same wire.

Please get off.

HE--I beg both of your pardons, ladies. But I'm trying to get a doctor for my mother.

EVELYN--I'll call you up later, Genevieve. I can tell you all about Atlantic City then.

SHE--He had no business coming in like that, Evelyn. But I suppose we'll have to let him have it. Goodbye.

HE--I'm very grateful to both of you, I'm sure.

SHE--Well, after all, we were only gossiping, and I'm sorry we did not understand sooner.

HE--Thank you again. (After a pause.) There goes a click. I guess I can call Central now. By Jove! that girl had spirit, and at the same time showed generosity in saying she was sorry. I wonder who she is.

Genevieve the other one called her. Genevieve who?

II.

(Five Minutes Later.)

SHE--h.e.l.lo, Central. Please give me "Information." Is that "Information"? I want to know who has 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-y. My number? I'm on the same line. No, no trouble. Just want to know. Who'd you say? Mrs. Mary Vincent, 286 West Lanvale street. Thank you so much.

III.

(Ten Minutes Later.)

HE--h.e.l.lo, Central, I want to know who has 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-m.

What's that? You'll give me "Information"? All right. h.e.l.lo, "Information," I want to find out who leases 'phone Madison 7-9-3-1-m.

No, not "y." I said "m." Somebody else wanted "y"? Well, that's my number. I want "m." Mr. John D. Platt, 1346 Linden avenue? What's that?

Oh, Pratt. Thank you.

IV.

(Wednesday, October 24.)

SHE--Oh! Evelyn, I've got something great to tell you. You remember that man who "b.u.t.t in" last night on our chat? Well, I've found out all about him. His name is Carroll Vincent, and he's just out of Princeton and is going to study law at the University of Maryland. How did I find out?

Oh! I can't tell you all that over the 'phone. I just used my wits. You know Genevieve isn't going to get left. I'd die if he----

HE--Is this Cent----

SHE--Goodness gracious! there he is on the line again!

HE--I beg your pardon. I'll retire gracefully.

SHE--Don't apologize. You could not help it.

HE--I don't like to be a "b.u.t.ter-in," don't you know?

SHE--I hope you got the doctor all right last night. I'd be so sorry if my foolish delay caused you any trouble.

HE--Thank you, I got him all right.

EVELYN (at the other end)--I'll call you some other time, Genevieve.

HE--No; let me get off this time.

SHE (after a pause)--I wonder if he has really gone.

EVELYN--How did you find out who he was? Go on, tell me.

SHE--I'm afraid he may be listening.

EVELYN--Do you think he'd do that deliberately?

SHE--Certainly, I don't. I think he must be just fine. Jack Smallwood says he's a stunning-looking fellow. I'm just crazy to see him.

EVELYN--Did you ask Jack Smallwood about him?

SHE--Why, of course, you goose! They live in the same block.

EVELYN--You're getting on famously, Genevieve.

SHE--That's another slam, Evelyn. You're just jealous, that's what the matter with you. Next time I call you up you'll know it.