The Devil's Cook Read Free Page B

home.”
    â€œYou have a lecherous mind, Farley Moran. What makes you think I was thinking of such certain things?”
    â€œWeren’t you?”
    â€œTo be honest, I was. Ben’s an enchanting little scoundrel. I may decide to marry him if he ever shows signs of being anything more than a perennial college student. The only thing is, I suspect him of being susceptible to seduction.”
    â€œWhat makes you suspect that?”
    â€œNever mind . Did Ben say where he was going?”
    â€œNo. In fact, he was damn secretive about it. He said he’d be back Sunday evening.”
    â€œWell, blast his treacherous little, heart He’s simply never around when I want him. Are you sure you don’t know where he went?”
    â€œI said I didn’t. Don’t you believe me?”
    â€œNo. And it may take you quite a while to convince me, so I guess I’d better come in while you try.”
    She walked past him into the room and sat down on the sofa, crossing her knees and thereby displaying—thanks to the short skirt—a pair of legs that were extremely ornamental as well as useful. Farley followed her as far as a chair, into which he collapsed.
    â€œThere’s nothing to be gained by nagging me,” he said. “I’ve told you all I know.”
    â€œNevertheless, it might be interesting to speculate.”
    â€œWell, it’s obvious enough, if you ask me. No speculation is necessary.”
    â€œI’m not so sure. Just because he was secretive is no sign he had some kind of assignation, or something. As a matter of fact, if that were the case, the little devil would probably have bragged all over the place about it. Men have no honor in such matters.”
    â€œDo you think so?”
    â€œStill, one can’t discount the possibility entirely. He might do something like that just to annoy me.”
    â€œWhy should it annoy you if you don’t know?”
    â€œHe may tell me afterward. In the meantime, I’m forced to speculate, which is even worse than knowing. What time did he leave?”
    â€œAbout two. Just a little while before Terry left.”
    â€œWas Terry here?”
    â€œI said so, didn’t I? I thought I did.”
    â€œI’m sure you didn’t. What did she want?”
    â€œShe wanted to borrow three fresh carrots for the ragout.”
    â€œWhat on earth would make her think she’d find fresh carrots in this warren?”
    â€œWell, it just happens that we had some. Ben bought them yesterday at the market.”
    â€œIf that isn’t just like him! He’s completely unpredictable. It shows, however, that he would be useful around a house. I wonder if I shouldn’t be a little more generous and give him a fair chance.”
    â€œIt might keep him home weekends. Incidentally, speaking of generosity, how about a fiver?”
    â€œYou had your monthly allowance from our wayward daddy. What the devil did you do with it?”
    â€œMy monthly allowance is hardly adequate. By the time the old man gets through paying alimony, there’s not much left for his lawful progeny.”
    â€œAs you know, there isn’t anything at all for this lawful progeny. As an efficient secretary with a thorough command of shorthand, as well as attractive legs, I earn my own way. When are you going to get that law degree, anyhow? You’re already two years past due.”
    â€œYou know I had to lay off and work a couple of years.”
    â€œPerhaps you’d better lay off and work a couple more. Every month, what with twenty bucks here and ten there, you’re costing me at least fifty bucks.”
    â€œOh, come on, Fan. A lousy fiver won’t kill you. I need some gas for my car.”
    â€œWhy don’t you sell that heap? What business has a pauper got with a car?”
    â€œAre you going to let me have the fiver or not? Be a good sis, Fan. Some day you’ll get it all back with