JERRY BUMPUS
385
his great nose as if sniffing the note as it hung in the air, launched into
a blasting rendition of "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls."
Mrs. Sheehan clasped her hands ecstatically and at the sadder parts
hid her face with a hankie and whined. Ursula Dolmon closed her eyes
and nodded in full agreement with every note and sentiment; she even
hummed along loudly, which didn't in the least bother Venolio. The
third lady nodded her head and for a while patted the arm of her chair
roughly in time with Venolio's music, until this tired her out; then
leaning back, her mouth open like a dark hole, she breathed loudly and
unevenly.
When Venolio finished the song, they applauded at length and he
bowed a dozen times. It didn't take much coaxing to get another song
(rom him.
"Wait! " I said. "Listenl!. .."
Venolio launched into "Captain Hornsby's Ride" :
Oh the cruel and wintry vigils keep the soldiery heart aloof,
Hey nonny ru , ta-rah, ta-rah,
Till the dauntless lads salute the dawn and then fall of( the roof,
With a waldy way, a waldy woe, a waldy waldy wall.
I stumbled from one of them to the other, tugging at their sleeves,
putting my face in theirs, calling in to them. I knocked Ursula in the
shoulder but couldn't get her attention. I jumped up on the arm of
Tina's chair, climbed onto the back of the chair as if I were crossing a
stile from one field to another.
Venolio finished his song and began another. I collapsed on the
carpet but watched every move until they broke for lunch.
From the kitchen I went into the dining room with my pockets
stuffed with carrots, celery, and radishes. I ate.standing behind them at
the table. "I can't begin
to
tell you how pleased I am, Mr. Venolio,"
Mrs. Sheehan said, "that my niece has found such a gentleman."
Venolio, picking his teeth with the prong of a fork, mumbled,
"My pleasure," looking across at Tina who had once again assumed
her beehive, pink dolly dress, and green hose.
When they finished, Venolio scooted back Tina's chair for her, and
as she rose, nudged the back of her head with his nose.
As they processioned into the parlor I threw radishes, popping
them off Venolio's head; they bounced helter-skelter and Mrs. Sheehan
almost tripped on one.
