Page:Teeftallow-1926.djvu/313

pletely; beyond him Abner barely distinguished some sectional bookcases; an electric spray overhead shining down on him, and at the farther end of the room a library table with a shaded light.

For several moments Abner stood awkwardly looking at the puffed shirt between the braces, and finally attracted the fat man's attention by saying, "Mr. Jones, Adelaide said you wanted to see me."

Railroad Jones turned his bulk with the waddling movement of the very fleshy.

"Why, yes, I wanted to see you, Abner; glad you come in." He replaced his specimen and explained in his burring voice, "Addy put these rocks in here—they've all got names—you kain't find a single little rock out in the hills, Ab, but what it's got a name"—the fat man gave an abdominal chuckle at the absurdity of the thing—"another fool way of weakening the brain, Ab, namin' the rocks." The great square-cut face with the small eyes burnt in it took on such a droll expression that Abner laughed outright.

"I suppose they have to teach girls things ordinary folks don't know," opined Abner, "so folks'll realize they are educated."

"Mostly show," agreed the magnate from deep in his throat. "Have a cigarette." He moved to the table.

Abner followed him and had one. It had a cork tip, an oval shape, and a flavour Abner had never tasted before.

"Sit down," stewed out Jones, and Abner sank into bottomless upholstery.

The rich man waved a puffed hand. "This is all Addy's idyah: books, rocks, pictures, things to git your mind off yore business. I tell her she'll never be a business woman. She says she's goin' to marry an' turn that over to some man; says she's goin' to raise childern herself. I told her to hit her pace. I didn't keer what she done so long as she kep' on livin' here with me. I don't propose to have her leavin' this house, Ab. I want her to keep on livin' here, married or single—I like to watch her."