Carmella Commands
tracting business, and didn’t he simply love the movies?
Halfway from the city limits to the business center they sighted a taxi standing idle.
“Out here, Dixon!” said Mr. Hastings, fiercely.
Dixon drove to the curbing, stepped out and opened the door.
“You’ll hear from this,” Mr. Hastings said, as he stepped out.
“Thank you, sir,” said Dixon, grinning.
Then, with joy in his job, he drove Carmella to the Central Trust Company, where Tommaso had a slender commercial account. There Carmella satisfied herself by seeing that the certified check was accepted as readily as gold certificates.
She noted, also, the quick appraising approval with which the receiving teller had glanced at her father as he saw the amount and signature. Carmella had long suspected that money bought approval in this world of hers.
Dixon drove them back to Doty Street. On the way, Carmella asked Tommaso how much he had paid for the land.
“Five hundred for option and first payment,” he replied.
“Yes, but in all,” she insisted.
“Five hundred more. One thousand in all.”
“Per Dio!” exclaimed Carmella, swearing strongly.
[106]
