Myra-Breckinridge-Gore-Vidal

Letitia was hard as nails. "I'm hanging onto that stud for aslong as I can." "That suits me. But what about him?" "Mr.Martinson!" Letitia gave a laugh which started out to betinkling but quickly became not unlike the minatory rattle ofa leper's bell. I should have known that Letitia would be asclever as I. She, too, has Rusty by the balls. "We're on goodterms, Mr. Martinson and I, and he thinks if anybody canmake 'something of the boy it will be me." "So if Rustydecides to stray..." "Mr. Martinson will bring him back."Letitia sighed contentedly. Then she frowned. "But there'sno doubt about it, he's still interested in Mary-Ann, eventhough he can't get over the fact that she's living with you.He absolutely hates you, darling. Why? He won't tell me.""And never will." I daresay I looked as pleased as I felt."Anyway, that's all in the past. Now I want you to have dinnerwith Mary-Ann and me and I want you to convince her thatRusty was just using you and that now he's off withsomeone else." Letitia wondered if this was a wise tactic. Iassured her that it was, and I was right. Our dinner atScandia was a success. Mary-Ann got tiddly on snaps and,all in all, we were like three schoolgirls on the town. Mary-Ann soon forgave Letitia. "I understand what you must'vefelt. I mean, he's the most wonderful boy there is and I don'tsuppose any woman could resist him." "I tried," said Letitiasolemnly, stroking her sprained arm in its sling. "Godknows I tried." "I guess it was too much for me to hope tokeep him." Mary-Ann was close to tears but we both did ourbest to cheer her up, assuring her of future boyfriends not tomention the prospect of stardom which Letitia dangled