Carmella Commands
society drama introduced only one setting and a frock or two that she felt added to her social knowledge. And the “love stuff,” as Dixon had called it, was undeniably flat.
Carmella suddenly realized that she was criticizing in terms of Dixon’s point of view. These love scenes, she was sure, would disgust him. But Dixon’s disgust would be more refined than Nicolo’s. His would have at least a share of humor. Nicolo’s was merely the intolerance of ignorance.
Her silence, as they walked home, led Nicolo to ask:
“Getting high hat since your dad made his ten strike in the digging department?”
“You,” said Carmella quietly, “can go to hell.” Instantly the boy was contrite.
“You don’t mean you don’t like me any more?” he pleaded.
“Sure I like you. But I’d like you a darn sight better if you’d stop thinking it was smart not to try to grow up.”
“For the love of Pete, kid, say it again. I don’t get you.”
“You’ve got all kinds of chances, Nick, and you don’t improve,” explained Carmella patiently. “You don’t try to. I bet I couldn’t carry hooch into all the best houses and not learn a darn thing, like you don’t.
“You think it’s smart to be rough and tough, Nick,”
[210]
