"YOU are the one who has been multiplying them," was Zoie's
disconcerting reply.
It was evident to Jimmy that he could not think fast enough nor clearly
enough to save himself from a mental disaster if he continued to argue
with the shameless young woman, so he contented himself by rocking to
and fro and murmuring dismally that he had "known from the first that it
was to be an endless chain."
While Zoie and Jimmy had been wrangling, Aggie had been weighing the
pros and cons of the case. She now turned to Jimmy with a tone of firm
but motherly decision. "Zoie is quite right," she said.
Jimmy rolled his large eyes up at his spouse with a "you too, Brutus,"
expression.
Aggie continued mercilessly, "It's the only way, Jimmy."
No sooner had Aggie arrived at her decision than Zoie upset her
tranquillity by a triumphant expression of "I have it."
Jimmy and Aggie gazed at Zoie's radiant face in consternation. They were
accustomed to see only reproach there. Her sudden enthusiasm increased
Jimmy's uneasiness.
"YOU have it," he grunted without attempting to conceal his disgust.
"SHE'S the one who generally has it." And he nodded toward Aggie.
Inflamed by her young friend's enthusiasm, Aggie rushed to her eagerly.
"What is it, Zoie?" she asked.
"The washerwoman!" exclaimed Zoie, as though the revelation had come
straight from heaven. "SHE HAD TWINS," and with that, two pairs of eyes
turned expectantly toward the only man in the room.
Tracing the pattern of the rug with his toe, Jimmy remained stubbornly
oblivious of their attentions. He rearranged the pillows on the couch,
and finally, for want of a better occupation, he wound his watch. All to
no avail. He could feel Zoie's cat-like gaze upon him.
"Jimmy can get the other one," she said.
"The hell I can," exclaimed Jimmy, starting to his feet and no longer
considering time or place.
The two women gazed at him reproachfully.
"Jimmy!" cried Aggie, in a shocked, hurt voice. "That's the first time
I've ever heard you swear."
"Well, it won't be the LAST time," declared Jimmy hotly, "if THIS keeps
up." His eyes were blazing. He paced to and fro like an infuriated lion.
"Dearest," said Aggie, "you look almost imposing."
"Nonsense," interrupted Zoie, who found Jimmy unusually ridiculous. "If
I'd known that Jimmy was going to put such an idea into Alfred's head,
I'd have got the two in the first place."