A Tree Grows in Brooklyn Page #2

Mr. Barker.

It all depends on what

folks thinks is important.

And how is Mr. Nolan? Is

he working or not working?

Some tell me one thing, some

another. Of course, I don't listen.

Mr. Nolan, being a

singing waiter, Mr. Barker,

and what you might

call an artist,

his work don't come steady

like other people's.

But I'm sure you'll remember

when you talk to folks

that the Nolans have always

paid their insurance on the dot.

You surely don't

think I go around

spreading gossip about

my clients, Mrs. Nolan.

Sure not. And how's

my mother, Mr. Barker?

In the prime, Mrs.

Nolan. Fine as can be.

And she says to tell

you she'll be over...

Over tonight,

same as usual.

And I trust you're pleased

with the news about your sister.

Just which news do you mean, Mr. Barker?

Well, now, she must be saving

it to surprise you with tonight

when the family's

all here together.

I'd take it kindly if

you told me what you mean.

Well, I trot around, same as

usual, to collect her weekly dime

and what do you

think happens?

Well, sir, she gives me two dimes.

Yes, sir,

she's done it again.

She's got herself

a brand-new husband.

Oh, no!

Well, now, I suppose you mean

about her still being married.

I don't mind saying I had

the same thought myself.

But I'm sure

it must be all right.

She must have made

some arrangement.

I'm quite sure she did,

Mr. Barker.

Does she call

this one Bill, too?

You children run along now

and do the marketing.

Go on. Take some money from the cup

and get a five-cent soup

bone off of Hassler's.

Don't get the chopped meat

from him, though.

He grinds it behind closed

doors and heaven only knows.

Go to Werner's

for the meat.

Ask for round steak,

chopped, 10 cents' worth.

And don't let him give

it to you off the plate.

Take an onion, Neeley!

And ask him to chop it in.

And then just at the last, ask

for a piece of suet to fry it with.

But he won't always

do that, Mama.

Tell him

your mama said.

And then go

for the bread.

It's Saturday, Mom.

All right. Ask for a

nice pie, not too crushed.

Now, go on.

But, Mama, we know

Aunt Sissy's been

married before.

Sure. I can remember

two Uncle Bills.

That's nothing for

you to talk about.

Now run along now

and get things done.

You got no right, Mr. Barker, to

be carrying tales about my sister

as though there were

something wrong.

She may be funny some ways, but

she wouldn't do nothing wrong,

so I'd like it if you didn't

talk to people like it was.

Strike me dead if I'd ever

think of mentioning it to anyone

but you, Mrs. Nolan.

Yeah, sure. I know.

Well, you might as well go on

now and tell me what you do know.

No point in my being the

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