The Complete Stories of Morley Callaghan - Volume Three by Morley Callaghan

Author:Morley Callaghan
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781550963472
Publisher: Exile Editions

The Lucky Lady

When Charlie Springer lost the third race, he looked so crushed and angry that Harriet, standing beside him at the rail, slipped her arm under his but he scowled and made her feel that everyone was unfairly against him.

“It’s the hot day, Charlie,” she said. “Everything just drags along.”

He muttered at the big fat man who had leaned against him. “I haven’t got room to move. I can’t see those beetles I bet on.”

“Cheer up, Charlie. There’s always the right race.”

“Oh, sure, sure,” and then he said irritably, “Don’t you ever wear anything but that white suit, Harriet?”

“Why, you always said you liked this suit, Charlie.” And it was true. When she had first met him and had worn the suit, he said that it went so well with her blond hair and long legs he felt like a rich man walking along the street with her. “Only last night you said the suit still looked good, Charlie.”

“What’s the matter with wanting you to look different sometimes?”

“Because it’s unfair, Charlie.”

“It was just a crack. Nothing looks right today,” he said.

“I’ve got nothing else to wear,” she said, and wondered why the sun glinting on the gray in his hair made him look so much older than when he had come into Mr. Striker’s office to sell some oil stock, and had met her. “I’m broke and you know it, Charlie,” her mouth trembled, for she was ashamed to remind him again that she was broke, always broke from lending him money.

She was so fond of him because from the beginning he had been able to make her feel valuable and he had come upon her, after years of shopping around as a salesman and small promoter, knowing at once he needed her, and all the borrowing from her had only been their recognition of his need of her. But his irritated glance had also touched a secret fear that all the giving on her part only made him feel she was forever committed to him.

“Do you think I like looking shabby, Charlie?” she said. “I was to have a new dress for today. Remember? You promised to pay me back something so I could get the dress.”

“I know I did, Harriet,” he said quickly, and he looked ashamed. “I know you are broke. I know it’s my fault. I know you have to get a dress. But I thought with a couple of sure things today I could make a killing. I guess I mentioned the suit because the dress is on my mind.”

“I know I look shabby. I know it.”

“Play along with me, baby. The trouble is you’re always on my mind.” It was just the right thing to say; it touched all her affection for him. “The first little windfall goes to you, Harriet,” he said, and he slipped his arm around her waist and abused the jockeys and the backstretch touts who gave him tips, and he sounded like himself and made her feel again that everything she wanted was within her reach.

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