544
"Drives me crazy."
"I never thought of you as squeamish."
"This is an extreme case."
PARTISAN REVIEW
"I could tell you about a hideously offensive student, but you
won't believe it ."
"Yes, I will." I was surprised at my readiness to believe.
"You'll never repeat a word of this?"
"I swear."
"If
you repeat it, I'll deny I told it to you."
"Have I ever betrayed a confidence?"
"I don't care."
"I won't."
Henry straightened slowly, pressing his back against the back
of the chair and staring at me as he put out his cigarette. "There's a
gentleman in my class-a Mr. Woo-who has a mandarin fingernail ."
"No shit."
"Do you know what a mandarin fingernail is?"
"Not really."
"On the little finger of his left hand, the nail is ten inches long. I
mean this literally . Ask anyone."
"What does he do with it?"
"Nothing. It's a symbol of his leisurely life. His face is covered
with puss pimples. He has an affected, mincing manner. Loves to talk
about movies."
"Is the fingernail hideously offensive?"
"Why the hell should I care about his fingernail?"
"I don't know ."
"Mr. Woo grins at me throughout the hour, as if everything I
say is intended only for him. That's offensive." Henry sneered with
disgust.
"Is he a little paranoical?"
"He's smug. It's the same thing."
"He would get to me, too ."
"I want to throw a knife through his face."
"Do you feel hungry?"
"I'd have lunch with you, but I teach in fifteen minutes. What
about Thursday? No; I have a conference with Mr. Woo. Friday. Three
o'clock."
"That's very late."
"I really want to have lunch with you. I haven't had lunch, you
know, in thirteen years." He lit another cigarette . His stare was
grim . He wasn't joking.
