Michael Malone - Weebly

owls of pretzels, chocolate bars, and nuts—red
pistachio nuts, which Polly had never before seen in
such quantities. "Like them," explained her hostess.
"Takes so infernal long to get at them. Too much
trouble to overeat. I've put on weight. In the last forty
years. Reprehensible. But still. Used to be as skinny as
you."
Polly blushed.
"Better thin than fat. Stylish. Don't fret. Time will be
your revenge. Now. Want to know why I asked you
over?"
Her mouth to her glass, Polly nodded.
"I've had my eye on you. You've got gumption, I
should wager.
Always accelerate on the curves, don't you? Took
particular note of that."
As she pried open pistachios, Polly watched in
wary fascination as Miss Dingley poured herself a
goblet full of dark liquid from a crystal decanter. "Port."
The invalid nodded and drank it down.
"Assuasive. I find it supplies the want of other
means of spiritualizing. Ha! So now, first let's get