欧亨利短篇小说集(35)

""Andwhatisthat,ma"am?"Iasks.
""Youaretoogoodafriendnottomakeagoodhusband,"saysshe.
"InfiveminutesPaisleywasonhissideofMrs.Jessup.
""InSilverCity,inthesummerof"98,"hebegins,"IseeJimBatholomewchewoffaChinaman"searintheBlueLightSaloononaccountofacrossbarredmuslinshirtthat--whatwasthatnoise?"
"IhadresumedmattersagainwithMrs.Jessuprightwherewehadleftoff.
""Mrs.Jessup,"saysI,"haspromisedtomakeitHicks.Andthisisanotherofthesamesort."
"Paisleywindshisfeetroundalegofthebenchandkindofgroans.
""Lem,"sayshe,"webeenfriendsforsevenyears.WouldyoumindnotkissingMrs.Jessupquitesoloud?I"ddothesameforyou."
""Allright,"saysI."Theotherkindwilldoaswell."
""ThisChinaman,"goesonPaisley,"wastheonethatshotamannamedMullinsinthespringof"97,andthatwas--"
"Paisleyinterruptedhimselfagain.
""Lem,"sayshe,"ifyouwasatruefriendyouwouldn"thugMrs.Jessupquitesohard.Ifeltthebenchshakealloverjustthen.Youknowyoutoldmeyouwouldgivemeanevenchanceaslongastherewasany."