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The Egotist Considers
SohetookAxia’sarmand,pilingintimatelyintoataxicab,theydroveoutoverthehundredsanddrewupatatall,white-stoneapartment-house....Neverwouldheforgetthatstreet....Itwasabroadstreet,linedonbothsideswithjustsuchtall,white-stonebuildings,dottedwithdarkwindows;theystretchedalongasfarastheeyecouldsee,floodedwithabrightmoonlightthatgavethemacalciumpallor.Heimaginedeachonetohaveanelevatorandacoloredhall-boyandakey-rack;eachonetobeeightstorieshighandfullofthreeandfourroomsuites.HewasrathergladtowalkintothecheerinessofPhoebe’sliving-roomandsinkontoasofa,whilethegirlswentrummagingforfood.
"Phoebe’sgreatstuff,"confidedSloane,sottovoce.
"I’monlygoingtostayhalfanhour,"Amorysaidsternly.Hewonderedifitsoundedpriggish.
"Helly’say,"protestedSloane."We’reherenow—don’tle’srush."
"Idon’tlikethisplace,"Amorysaidsulkily,"andIdon’twantanyfood."
Phoebereappearedwithsandwiches,brandybottle,siphon,andfourglasses.
"Amory,pour’emout,"shesaid,"andwe’lldrinktoFredSloane,whohasarare,distinguishededge."
"Yes,"saidAxia,comingin,"andAmory.IlikeAmory."Shesatdownbesidehimandlaidheryellowheadonhisshoulder.
"I’llpour,"saidSloane;"youusesiphon,Phoebe."
Theyfilledthetraywithglasses.
"Ready,hereshegoes!"
Amoryhesitated,glassinhand.
