Two weeks passed since Cathy's arrival at the lodging house. Late one night, a whispered conversation in one corner of the bunk room erupted in a sudden exclamation.
"What?"
"Shh! My God, ya want the whole place t'hear?"
"Kloppman's gonna kill ya."
"He doesn't know. Nobody knows, okay? Except you, and keep it that way, will ya?"
"Sure, sure…but, gosh, why so quick?"
"I don't know…it just…happened, ya know?"
"I wouldn't know, buddy. But is that why—"
"Shh! Hang on!"
"What?"
"Shush!"
There was a long silence in the darkness of the bunkroom. Then the second voice continued in a hushed tone.
"What was that all about?"
"I thought I heard somethin'…but really. You can't tell anyone."
"Sure, buddy. But why the big secret?"
"Cause I don't want anyone else knowin'. It won't take long until she hears about it and, and she'll think I'm some kind of creep. I mean…I don't think she notices me all that much."
"Whaddya mean? She was talkin' to ya just this mornin'…"
"Yeah. And I fell all over myself tryin' to talk to her."
"Why?"
"I don't know, I said. But you remember last week? What she did for me?"
"Yeah, yeah. With your ankle?"
"I think it was the way she looked at me. While she was helping me out up the stairs, you know? That got me right away…she's not a whole lot to look at, but she's got a great smile…"
"Aw, you're not gonna get all soft, are ya?"
"No, no. Just thinkin'…but ya promise you won't tell? Anyone else, I mean?"
"Sure thing, buddy…"
"Thanks. You're a real pal…"
"No sweat."
Someone groaned and turned in their bed. The two voices silenced for a long moment.
"I'll talk to ya tomorrow, okay?"
"Swell. G'night…"
"G'night."