Jennette Lee

“ I begin new man, Milwaukee. When they say, 'Have a drink,' I shake head. I go 'way off. My boy he stay school. My wife she have nice shawl!" He leaned forward with eager gaze. "I try hard!" he said simply.
Milly's gaze was non-committal.
"Why do you want to drink, Mr. Bergman?" she asked. "Why is it so hard for you to stop? Is it the taste of it you want?"
His eyes sought the corners of the room for answer, and his hand turned the old felt hat. ”

“ The big hands that had been shifting his old hat through nervous fingers gripped it suddenly, and his eyes lifted themselves to her face with a dumb look of insistence.
She returned the look thoughtfully. "How long has it been?" she asked.
"Ten months," said the man quickly.
"And you have been reporting to me every two weeks for ten months?"
He nodded with a hopeless gesture.
"And if you went to Milwaukee——"
He started. A gleam came into his blue eyes. "I be good man," he said. "I keep straight. I work hard! Big pay. I strong man." He stretched out his great arm. ”

“ He was looking at her intently, and she returned the look, the flush flitting again in her face.
"Why, of course!" she said cordially. "I shall be glad to see you any time. . . . Only—" She paused a moment. "I am often away from home, you know."
"Then I shall come again—if I find you out. You will not get rid of me so easily—with an excuse!" And he touched his hat and moved away through the swinging door.
Her eyes followed the tall figure passing into the crowd. At the edge of the sidewalk he turned and looked back and raised his hat gravely to her, before he disappeared in the crowd. ”