Carmella Commands
old two doodles? You haven’t had as much solid wealth as that since you were christened—not to spend in one afternoon, anyway.”
“I gotta job now.”
“A job! What at?”
“I’m workin’ regular for Mike now.”
“For Mike Laudini?”
Nicolo nodded, noting the impression he had made.
“Secante!” exclaimed Carmella, and then, as if that did not quite fill the needs of the occasion, she added: “Per la madonna!”
Fascinated, she gazed at her newly crowned friend. She knew that he had been occasionally employed by Mike—errands and such trifles. But to be regularly employed, and learning the mysteries of bootlegging—here was honor. She could hardly believe that she had known him when he was only a slouchy boy.
Nicolo tossed his cigarette into the roadway with nonchalance, and lit another, striking the match with an air. It was his moment of glory.
“Let’s go to the movies, Nick,” said the girl.
“Sure you ain’t got to go to school and kiss the teacher?” he asked.
For answer Carmella swung wide and hard a t the boy’s face, a blow which he easily sidestepped. They both laughed.
“What you doing for Mike?” she asked, as they started down the street, toward the school building and toward the theater.
[113]
