"Not in the
third," he corrected briskly. "Keene entry win the third."
Mabel appealed breathlessly to the telephone. "What price the
Keene entry in the third?" She turned to Mannie with reproachful
eyes. "Even money!" she complained.
"That's what I told you," retorted Mannie. He lowered his voice,
and gazed apprehensively toward the front parlor. "If you want a
really good thing," he whispered hoarsely, "ask Joe what
Pompadour is in the fifth!" Mabel laughed scornfully,
disappointedly.
"Pompadour!" she mocked.
"That's right!" cried the expert. "That's the one daily hint
from Paris today. Joe will give you thirty to one."
Upon the defenseless woman he turned the full force of his
accursed smile. "Put five on for me, Mabel?" he begged.
With unexpected determination of character Mabel declared
sharply that she would do nothing of the sort.
"Two, then?" entreated the boy.
"Where," demanded Mabel unfeelingly, "is the twenty you owe me
now?"
The abruptness of this unsportsmanlike blow below the belt
caused Mannie to wince.
"How do I know where it is?" he protested. "As long as you
haven't got it, why do you care where it is?" He heard the door
from the hall open and, turning, saw Vera. He appealed to her.
"Vera," he cried, "You'll loan me two dollars? I stand to win
sixty. I'll give you thirty."
Vera looked inquiringly at Mabel. "What is it, Mabel,:" she
asked, "a hand book?"
Mrs. Vance nodded guiltily.
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