Hubert always said that Billy could forget it and Billy always did.
Sometimes when he and Lillian were driving alone Hubert would fix his eyes on the ribbon of a road that wound before them and he would be quiet for many minutes while he thought. Seventy-five dollars a month for the apartment, fifty dollars for the two cars in a garage; then there was the telephone, gas, and electricity. His notes to meet on the Nash, fifty dollars pocket money for Lillian; then there were clothes, recreation, and Billy. Ice, food, and gasoline must be added; also an occasional gift here and there. Mary Jackson had had a baby and it had cost one hundred dollars to present the upholstery-wetting brat with a crib, a high chair, a wardrobe, and a couple of blankets. Anna Leitz hadn't had a baby and it had cost a hundred dollars just the same. Of course a fellow likes doing things for poor unfortunates who are broke, but Hubert had never guessed that so many people could be broke till he met Lillian. Cripes, what would they have done without him?
He would grow frightened as he stared his responsibilities in the face. Fifteen thousand dollars wasn't the bank roll he had thought it was. He'd have to call a halt somewhere. He would have to tell Lillian that it was necessary to cut down. He had never told her just how much he had. Maybe he should have. He would look at her then and she would look back at him. Something in her large eyes and painted mouth would reassure him. They were having a good time. Why spoil
