The men were being waited on by two of their favorite girls, Muriel and Lily, who were wearing red silk shoes and huge, elaborate hats but were otherwise naked. From outside the room came the sounds of raucous singing and some kind of heated quarrel, but in here it was peaceful, with the crackling of the coal fire and the murmured words of the two girls as they served supper. The atmosphere relaxed Micky, and he began to feel less anxious about the railroad loan. He had a plan, at least. He could only try it out. He looked across the table at Edward. Theirs had been a fruitful friendship, he mused. There were times when he felt almost fond of Edward. Edward's dependency was tiresome, but it was what gave Micky power over him. He had helped Edward, Edward had helped him, and together they had enjoyed all the vices of the most sophisticated city in the world.
When they finished eating Micky poured another glass of wine and said: "I'm going to marry Rachel Bodwin."
Muriel and Lily giggled.
Edward stared at him for a long moment then said: "I don't believe it."
Micky shrugged. "Believe what you wish. It's true, all the same."
"Do you really mean it?"
"Yes."
"You swine!"
Micky stared at his friend in surprise. "What? Why shouldn't I marry?"
Edward stood up and leaned over the table aggressively. "You're a damned swine, Miranda, and that's all there is to say."
Micky had not anticipated such a reaction. "What the devil has got into you?" he said. "Aren't you going to marry Emily Maple?"
"Who told you that?"
"Your mother."
"Well, I'm not marrying anyone."
"Why not? You're twenty-nine years old. So am I. It's time for a man to equip himself with the semblance of a respectable household."
"To the devil with a respectable household!" Edward roared, and he overturned the table. Micky sprang back as crockery smashed and wine spilled. The two naked women cringed away fearfully.
"Calm down!" Micky cried.
"After all these years!" Edward raged. "After all I've done for you!"
Micky was baffled by Edward's fury. He had to calm the man down. A scene like this could prejudice him against marriage, and that was the opposite of what Micky wanted. "It's not a disaster," he said in a reasonable tone. "It's not going to make any difference to us."
"It's bound to!"
"No, it's not. We'll still come here."
Edward looked suspicious. In a quieter voice he said: "Will we?"
"Yes. And we'll still go to the club. That's what clubs are for. Men go to clubs to get away from their wives."
"I suppose they do."
