1944 - Just the Way It Is Read Online Free PDF Page A

chair.
    ‘No!’ Clare held up a long, thin finger. ‘Not tonight, Peter. We went all over that last night. I told you I’m not sure. I’ve been so long on my own. I’ve had to look after myself for so long that. . . well, I just don’t know.’
    Peter touched her hair lightly. ‘All right. So long as I know there’s no one else. You know, darling, I could be horribly jealous of you.’
    She shook his hand. There won’t be anyone else,’ she said. ‘You mustn’t talk like that. You must be sure of me. I like men who are sure. I don’t like men who feel inferior because I’ve got a nice figure, big brown eyes and a pretty dress.’
    Peter grinned down at her. ‘Who said you had a nice figure, anyway?’ he asked.
    ‘Don’t you think so?’
    ‘I’m in the motor business. I never pass judgment on something I haven’t seen.’
    ‘And now, Mr. Cullen, you are becoming worldly.’
    ‘Certainly not. I’m merely running to type.’
    ‘In that case, I had better be very cautious and’ sit by the window where I can call for help if necessary.’
    ‘I’m glad you add if necessary.’ He smiled at her. ‘But, seriously Clare, I wish you’d marry me.’
    ‘And seriously, Peter, I wish you wouldn’t talk about it just now. Do you mind very much?’ She slipped her hand into his.
    For a moment his face showed his disappointment, then he smiled. ‘I’m sorry, Clare. Tell me what you’ve been doing today.’
    ‘Oh, it’s been thoroughly tiresome from the moment I arrived at the office. I was hoping to get material for an article on the Fairview slums. Do you know Pinder’s End, Peter?’
    ‘I think so. Isn’t that the place just outside Fairview . . . a few bungalows and a lot of poverty?’
    ‘Hmm. That describes it very well. It’s a disgrace to the town. I feel so sorry for the people living there. They are almost like those dreadful characters in Tobacco Road. The Town surveyor has been threatening to clear them out for the past year and everything was fixed at the last Municipal session. Now, it has been shelved.’
    ‘Well, I should imagine the people living there are glad. Where would they have gone?’
    ‘They would have been looked after. It had all been arranged and worked out. And now, for no apparent reason, they’re not going ahead with the scheme.’
    ‘Just like the authorities.’ Peter took out his cigarette case and offered it.
    ‘I wanted to kick up a row in the Clarion about it, but Sam wouldn’t hear of it,’ Clare went on, accepting a light. ‘Sometimes I wonder if Sam isn’t too cautious. Ever since that man Korris threatened him he has laid off all politics and hardly prints anything about Bentonville.’
    ‘I remember that business. Didn’t Korris threaten to burn the Clarion building or something?’
    Clare shrugged. ‘As if that meant anything.’
    ‘I think you’re wrong there. Korris is powerful in Bentonville. His mob sticks at nothing.’
    ‘It’s an absolute disgrace. Why don’t the police clear him out?’
    ‘Now, come, Clare! You know as well as I do the politicians make a good thing out of Korris. They wouldn’t dream of getting rid of him.’
    ‘Do you think there is such a person as Spade?’ Clare asked abruptly, after a pause.
    ‘Spade? You mean the racket boss? I suppose so. I really don’t interest myself in that side of the town.’
    ‘But you should, Peter. If everyone took an interest and brought pressure to bear at election time, this gang would be run out of town.’
    ‘Or else we’d get our teeth kicked in,’ Peter said, looking serious. ‘These people have got a grip on Bentonville, Clare. They won’t give up in a hurry.’
    ‘Oh, Peter, I know what I wanted to ask you. Do you know a man called Timson?’
    Peter shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. Why?’
    ‘He’s over at Fairview. Sam says he’s from Bentonville and he’s looking for property. I believe he’s going to buy land out there.’
    ‘Oh, surely not,’ Peter