To her right, the hand at her arm clung closer.
"Effie, you--you're so young, honey. Leon Kessler's an old-timer--"
"I hate kids. Give me a _man_ every time. I like them when they've got
enough sense to--"
"Why didn't you let him go, Effie? Ain't I right, I.W.? Ain't I right?"
"S-ay, what's the difference if he likes to show her a good time? If I
was a young man, I wouldn't pass her up myself."
"But, I.W., she's--so young!"
"Who's young? I'm nineteen, going on--"
"You've been running with him all the three days he's been here, honey.
What's the use getting yourself talked about?"
"Well, any girl in town would be glad to get herself talked about if
Leon Kessler was rushing her."
"Effie, I won't let you--I won't--"
Miss Goldstone unhinged her arm, jerking it free in anger.
"Well, I like that!"
"Effie, I--"
"You ain't my boss!"
"Effie!"
"But, papa, she--"
There was a booming in Mr. Goldstone's voice and a suddenly projected
vibrancy.
"You apologize to your mother--this minute! You talk to your mother the
way you know she's to be talked to!"
"I.W., she didn't--"
"You hear me!"
"I.W.! Don't holler at her; she--"
"She ain't your boss? Well, she just is your boss! You take back them
words and say you're sorry! You apologize to your mother!" Immediate
sobs were rumbling up through Miss Goldstone.
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