Carmella Commands
“Even if it hurts your feelings?”
“Even if it hurts my feelings.”
“Then I’ll tell you. You’re high hat with them.”
At this particular moment Miss Sargle had to step to the door. It was Miss Sargle’s misfortune that she always interrupted at the wrong moment. Like the habit of attempting dramatic entrances, only to stumble over the rug. There is no getting over it.
“Carmella’s brother is here for her,” said Miss Sargle.
Without waiting for further introduction, the girl’s ten-year-old brother darted into the room.
“Quick, kid!” he cried, speaking in Italian for greater privacy from these American women. “Mother wants you to come home right away, to speak English. She’s mad at you for coming over without asking.”
“Cops?” asked Carmella.
“No, no! A man asking questions. Mother wants you.”
“All right. You run and tell her I’ll be right over. Run like the devil, or we’ll both catch it. Tell her I’ll be right over.”
“You’ll catch it anyway,” retorted Joe. “She’s mad.”
As her brother started away, Carmella turned to Mrs. Barrington and explained, in English:
“Mother wants me, to talk English for her. She gets panicky when I ain’t around and anybody comes.
[23]
