Free Come Along with Me by Shirley Jackson

with disgust. “Why should Millie,” he inquired, “get away with so much and only leave this little bit for me?”
    Millie giggled. “I don’t have one bit more than you do, Mr. Garland.”
    â€œI dished it out myself,” Virginia said.
    â€œYou certainly do, Millie,” Mr. Garland went on, “I got robbed.” He went over to Millie to compare dishes and sat down next to her on the couch. “Now I’m going to sit right down here,” he said, “and watch every bit you eat, and count how much you have, and then you’ll be sorry you didn’t let me have more.”
    Millie giggled again. “Stop, Mr. Garland,” she said, “I’m choking.”
    â€œCharles,” Mrs. Garland said, “you’re spoiling the girl’s good time.”
    â€œNo, Mrs. Garland,” Millie said, “I think Mr. Garland’s awfully funny.”
    â€œNow I’m funny,” Mr. Garland said. “First you rob me of my ice cream and then you think I’m funny. Just a silly old man, I guess.”
    â€œYou’re not an old man,” Millie said.
    â€œHe’s old enough not to act like a clown,” Mrs. Garland said sharply.
    â€œI don’t think you’re old at all,” Millie protested, “really, I think you’re young.”
    Mr. Garland eyed Millie. “How young would you say?” he demanded.
    Millie giggled.
    â€œMy father’s always like that,” Virginia said to Millie. “He’s always fooling people.”
    â€œWouldn’t go out with a guy my age, would you, Millie?” Mr. Garland said.
    Millie looked up at him. “I couldn’t say,” she said.
    â€œNow don’t tease me,” Mr. Garland said.
    Mrs. Garland rose, put down her sewing, and went to the door. In the doorway she stopped for a minute. “Virginia,” she said, without turning around, “I want to speak to you for a minute, please.”
    Virginia got up and followed her mother out of the room. “Be right with you, Millie,” she said.
    When Virginia was gone Millie turned around to Mr. Garland. “Is Mrs. Garland mad about something I said or something?” she asked.
    â€œDon’t pay any attention to her,” Mr. Garland said. He touched the flower in Millie’s hair. “Pretty flower,” he said.
    â€œMy boy friend gave it to me,” Millie said.
    â€œGot a boy friend?” Mr. Garland said. “Does he take you out and show you a good time?”
    Millie giggled. “He sure does,” she said.
    â€œWhere does he take you?” Mr. Garland asked. “Ever take you to this place downtown, this club they call The Blue Lantern?”
    â€œI’ve been there,” Millie said.
    Mr. Garland got up and walked across the room to get a cigarette and, as an afterthought, offered one to Millie.
    â€œ
She
coming back?” Millie asked, her hand out.
    â€œMrs. Garland? Not for a minute or two, probably.” Millie took the cigarette and Mr. Garland lit it for her.
    â€œShe doesn’t like me,” Millie said, leaning back.
    â€œI shouldn’t think so,” Mr. Garland said.
    â€œBut Virginia’s a swell kid,” Millie said. Mr. Garland laughed, and Millie looked up at him. “What did I
say
?” she asked.
    Virginia came into the doorway and stopped for a minute. “Millie,” she said, and Millie juggled Mr. Garland’s hand insistently to make him take her cigarette. “Millie,” Virginia said, “Mother wants to know if we will run down and get her a couple of things at the store. Want to go?”
    Millie hesitated, and Mrs. Garland came into the doorway behind Virginia. “Charles,” she said, “I told Virginia that if she and Millie went down to the store for me like good children you’d give them each a dime.”
    â€œWe’ll get a soda,” Virginia said.
    â€œAfter all that ice