342
PARTISAN REVIEW
As
these thoughts went though Leon like swords, Delia Jones
at the party was going from one man to another, making amorous
proposals which were regarded for the most part as efforts at wit.
"Who are you?" Delia cooed at the strange men, staring deeply
into their eyes. Shenandoah, regarding this action from a distance,
saw that Nicholas would be the next candidate, and then, fearing
perhaps wrongly, that Nicholas might welcome the overture far toa
well, moved forward to prevent his friend. He tugged
his
sleeve and
said as softly as possible:
"Don't be foolish, she's very drunk."
Since there was no immediate justification for the fear that
Nicholas might welcome Delia, Nicholas turned on Shenandoah in
silent fury.
Shenandoah's move was observed by Oliver and he was upset
by it. He decided that something must be done. But he was afraid
that an open scandal might occur.
"Who are you?" said Delia to Leon as the door opened on
his face.
For a split second, Leon thought that he had rung the wrong
bell. Then he saw Arthur, who had just opened the door and was
standing at an angle to it. Leon was grossly taken aback. He had not
counted on much of a reception, but he was so uncertain as to being
welcome that this seemed to be a direct attack.
But all the wit and fury in him rose
in
inspiration.
"Who are
you?"
he cried back at Delia.
Her face fell. ·All looked, for Leon had spoken loudly. Two
laughed. No one knew if Delia's consternation was the consequence
of Leon's triumphant and leering face, or the result of her actually
being unable to think of who she was.
Oliver saw the relaxation and defeat in her. He decided that
this was the best moment to correct her or to send her home without
an outbreak of recrimination. He drew her into one of the bed–
rooms and asked her to behave herself. Unfortunately he was unable
to keep the irony in his mind from entering his voice, though he had
tried to be gentle and reasonable in tone.
"Everyone feels as you do," he said foolishly, "there is no need
for this self-indulgence."
Her hysteria became positive again.
"I am not self-indulgent, you are!" said Delia in overflowing
hatred.
"All right, you are not,
I
am," said Oliver, "but please try in
