Nid and Nod

Excerpt

A bell tinkled as the door of the little blue shop opened and closed, and continued to tinkle, although decreasingly, as the stout youth who had entered turned unhesitatingly but with a kind of impressive dignity toward where in the dimmer light of the store a recently installed soda-fountain, modest of size but brave with white marble and nickel, gleamed a welcome.

In response to the summons of the bell a girl came through the door that led to the rear of the little building. As she came she fastened a long apron over the dark blue dress and sent an inquiring hand upward to the smooth brown hair. Evidently reassured, she said, Hello, in a friendly voice and, having established herself behind the counter, looked questioningly at the customer.

Hello, responded the boy. Give me a chocolate sundae with walnuts and a slice of pineapple, please. And you might put a couple of cherries on top. Seen Nod this afternoon?

The girl shook her head as she deposited a portion of ice-cream in a dish and pressed the nickeled disk marked “Chocolate”. I’ve just this minute got back from school. Aren’t you out early today?

No recitation last hour, the youth explained as his eyes followed her movements fascinatedly.

That all the chopped walnuts I get, Polly?

It certainly is when you ask for pineapple and cherries, too, answered the girl firmly. She tucked a small spoon on the side of the alarming concoction, laid a paper napkin in front of the customer, and placed the dish beside it. Would you like a glass of water?