Carmella Commands
two more trucks and up to twenty-five men. You could beat that union gang at Elm Heights with that, padre.”
Tommaso thought a moment, and then said “Yes.” Carmella could have wept for joy. Instead, she turned to Mr. Barrington:
“My father says he will get trucks and men if you will pay him by the week instead of by the job. And then your land will sell better. Shall I tell him you say you will?”
Mr. Barrington nodded.
“Say it!” commanded Carmella. “Say what you mean! We don’t take nods in our business.”
“All right! I say it. I will. Tell him that.”
“Damn that kid!” said he to himself later, as he recalled the scene. And, although matters went well from that moment in Greendale, he repeated the invective at intervals for weeks. Yet each time he thought it he wished that his own daughter were more like Carmella.
Carmella followed him to his car.
“Are you going to take me home?” she asked. “Or I’ll have to walk. Your busses aren’t any good till they run.”
“Take her home,” said the promoter, settling into the entire rear seat. Carmella slipped happily in beside Dixon.
“All right, kid?” asked the latter, from the side of his mouth.
[193]
