Time Is the Simplest Thing Read Online Free PDF

but deplore in your own people.”
    â€œWe wouldn’t dare,” said Dalton. “There’s the social situation.”
    â€œYes, I know,” said Blaine. “The social situation. Are the happy little mobs still crucifying them?”
    â€œThe moral climate,” conceded Dalton, “is at times confusing.”
    â€œI should imagine so,” said Blaine.
    Dalton took the cigar from his mouth and regarded it with something like disgust. One end of it was dead and the other badly frayed. After considering for a moment, he tossed it into a potted plant. It caught on the lower part of the greenery and dangled there obscenely.
    Dalton leaned back and clamped his hands across his gut. He stared up at the ceiling.
    â€œMr. Blaine,” he said.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œYou’re a man of great discernment. And of integrity. And of a great impatience with fuddy-duddy thinking. You’ve brought me up short on a couple of matters and I liked the way you did it.”
    â€œYour servant,” Blaine said, coldly.
    â€œHow much do they pay you?”
    â€œEnough,” said Blaine.
    â€œThere’s no such thing as enough. I never saw a man—”
    â€œIf you’re trying to buy me, you’re out of your ever-loving mind.”
    â€œNot buy you. Hire you. You know the ins and outs of Fishhook. You know a lot of people. In a consultive capacity, you’d be invaluable. We’d be very willing to discuss—”
    â€œExcuse me, sir,” said Blaine, “but I’d be entirely useless to you. Under the present circumstance, I’d be no good at all.”
    For he’d been here for an hour and that was much too long. He’d eaten and he’d had a drink and he’d talked with Dalton—he’d wasted a lot of time on Dalton—and he must be getting on. For the word that he was here would filter back to Fishhook and before it did he must be far away.
    There was a fabric rustle, and a hand fell on his shoulder.
    â€œShep,” said Charline Whittier, “it was nice of you to come.”
    He rose and faced her.
    â€œIt was good of you to ask me.”
    She crinkled impish eyes at him. “Did I really ask you?”
    â€œNo,” he said. “Leave us be honest. Freddy dragged me in. I hope that you don’t mind.”
    â€œYou know you’re always welcome.” Her hand tightened on his arm. “There’s someone you must meet. You’ll forgive us, Mr. Dalton.”
    â€œCertainly,” said Dalton.
    She led Blaine away.
    â€œYou know,” he said, “that was rather rude of you.”
    â€œI was rescuing you,” she told him. “The man’s a frightful bore. I can’t imagine how he got here. I’m sure I didn’t ask him.”
    â€œJust who is he?” asked Blaine. “I’m afraid I never did find out.”
    She shrugged bare and dimpled shoulders. “The head of some business delegation. Down here to cry out their broken hearts to Fishhook.”
    â€œHe indicated that much. He’s irate and most unhappy.”
    â€œYou haven’t got a drink,” said Charline.
    â€œI just finished one.”
    â€œAnd you’ve had something to eat? You’re having a good time? I have a new dimensino, the very latest thing.…”
    â€œMaybe,” said Blaine. “Maybe later on.”
    â€œGo and get another drink,” said Charline. “I must say hello to some other of my guests. How about staying after? It’s been weeks since I have seen you.”
    He shook his head. “I’m more sorry than I can tell you. It was nice of you to ask.”
    â€œSome other time,” she said.
    She moved away, but Blaine reached out and stopped her.
    â€œCharline,” he said, “did anyone ever tell you you’re an awfully good egg?”
    â€œNo one,” she told him. “Absolutely no one.”
    She stood on tiptoe to kiss him