In the Still of the Night

later, after a brief discussion, Lily and Robert went across the square to have an equally short chat with Mr. Prinney at his office in town.
    “Nice girl, that Miss Twinkle,“ he agreed. “And just between the three of us, Mrs. Gelhaus not only takes things from her own house, she’s been known to lift a few trinkets from other people’s houses. Go ahead.”
    Lily went back into the millinery shop. Phoebe Twinkle’s eyes were red and swollen, but she forced a smile. “Miss Twinkle, forgive me for asking a rude question, but I do have a good reason. What do you pay for the room above the shop?”
    Phoebe admitted it was three dollars a week.
    “That’s an outrageous sum. I have an offer for you. I have rooms bigger and nicer than yours at Grace and Favor, and for the same amount of money, I’d give you the room and board. You’ve probably heard what an excellent cook Mrs. Prinney is. Nobody but the maid will ever enter the room and you can even lock her out if you want.”
    Phoebe just stared at Lily.
    “Where do you normally eat?“ Lily asked.
    “At Mabel’s Cafe.“
    “I’ve eaten once at Mabel’s and believe me, the food is better at our house and would be included in your rent. The only drawback is that it’s up the hill. You’d still have to pay for your shop rental and you’d have to walk to and from work occasionally. Mr. Prinney says he would drop you off in town the four days a week he’s in his office and bring you back at the end of the day as well.”
    Phoebe suddenly put her hands to her face and gave a quick sob.
    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you, Miss Twinkle,“ Lily said. “Just give it some thought at your leisure.”
    Phoebe looked up from her hands. “How soon may I move in?“
    “As soon as you like.”
    Lily went back to the car, where Robert was reading a magazine and smoking one of the rare cigarettes he allowed himself to buy. “We have our first real boarder, Robert.“
    “A little old hat maker,“ Robert said, taking one more puff of the cigarette and putting it out very carefully so he could smoke the rest of it later.
    Lily laughed. “Little, but not old. Quite a knockout, I’m happy to tell you.”

Chapter 4

    “Would the Captain rather sit over here?“ Bud Carpenter asked.
    “It’s a damned train, Sergeant. Where I sit will not influence whether I get there sooner or later.“
    “Now, now, sir, let’s don’t be grumpy,“ Bud said, not intimidated in the least. “I just thought the Captain might like to sit facing forward.“
    “You peevish old maid! I’m fine where I am,“ Captain West growled. “Leave me alone, can’t you?”
    Captain West was a big man, once a handsome one, but running just a bit to fat now in middle age and scarred about the face and neck. The scarring wasn’t severe, but it had pulled his once-handsome features a bit to one side, giving him an odd, lopsided visage.
    His dark, glossy hair was getting a dusty gray at the temples and a network of angry lines had been overlaid on his face. Most people would regard him as haughty but dignified, a man who wouldn’t lightly allow himself to be crossed in even the most trivial matter.
    But Bud Carpenter, a slim, stiff, younger man, had known him for most of his own life. He’d been a paper delivery boy in the same town where the Great Man lived and had adored him. When Julian West’s first book was published, Bud had purchased it out of his meager funds and read every word of it, finger following down the pages phrase by phrase, lips moving slowly with the words. It was the first book he had ever read voluntarily.
    He screwed up his courage and knocked at the door of the big stone house the day he finished reading it rather than leaving the paper on the stoop.
    The Great Man had come to the door himself. “What is it, boy?“ he snapped impatiently. “Do I owe you money? My cousin John takes care of that sort of thing. But he’s in the hospital with pneumonia. Come back next week.”
    Before the door could slam, Bud put his foot over the threshold. “No, sir, you don’t owe me nothing.
    But I want to work for you.”
    “Why?”
    Bud hadn’t expected the question. He stammered for a moment, then got out the words, “ ‘Cause I liked your book. First whole book I ever read. And I’m a good hard worker. I can garden and cook a bit and fix near anything. You got a broken window or a electric light that won’t work or a cistern to be emptied, I’m your