Page 85 of The Irish Gypsy

Kitty spoke for the first time. "We aresailing for home in a few days. The new governor is alreadyhere."

"Oh, I've had the pleasure. This is one ofthe first stops gentlemen make when they arrive on the island,"Molly said.

"Well, that really shouldn't surprise me,should it?" said Kitty, laughing and feeling more relaxed.

"I don't often get the chance to entertain alady. Aren't you afraid someone will see you visiting such anunsavory place?"

"Not at all. I couldn't leave the islandwithout thanking you for all you did for me when I arrived. Yousaved my life, Molly. I came to say goodbye." She hesitated.

Molly looked at her keenly. "You seem as ifyou would like to ask me something but don't quite know how to goabout it."

Kitty laughed nervously. "You're veryobservant."

"I don't wish to pry, but if I can help youwith something, all you have to do is ask. Don't beembarrassed."

"Well, there was something I was going to askyour advice about, but it doesn't seem important now. I'd bettergo," Kitty said.

"Sit right where you are! It's somethingintimate, isn't it? Something isn't right between you and yourhusband. Tell me," she urged.

"Well, it's just that, he doesn't....hecan't...." Kitty stopped.

"Listen, Irish, I've seen every sex problemin the world. Sometimes a man can't get an erection." She knew fromKitty's face that she had guessed right. "Usually the easiest wayto cure that is to take it into your mouth for a minute and runyour tongue along...."

Kitty jumped up, outraged. "I couldn't doanything like that!" she cried angrily.

Molly threw back her head and laughed. "I'veshocked you! Well, listen to me, Miss High-and-Mighty, if you werepassionately in love with a man, doing something like that wouldn'tdisgust you so much."

Kitty thought of Patrick and silentlyadmitted that what Molly said might be right.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to look down mynose at you. I came for advice and then acted like a prude when youwere good enough to speak plainly."

"It's not your fault. I'm so used to dealingwith whores, I forgot myself. Now, for a man who has troublegetting hard in the first place, you sort of have to set the mood.Undress in front of him, be very seductive. Kiss him, touch him,manipulate him with your fingers. Allow him to explore your bodyand play with your breasts. A beautiful girl like you shouldn'thave any difficulties, unless of course his tastes are perverted inlovemaking. That's an entirely different thing."

"No, I can assure you that isn't the case,"replied Kitty.

"That's good. With the nobility you never canbe sure. Give me a man from the working class every time--he alwaysprefers his sex straight."

Kitty stood up and extended her hand. "We'llprobably never meet again, but I shall always remember you.Good-bye, Molly."

"Good-bye and good luck, Irish."

Patrick walked down the wharf in Charleston.He was thinner, and the lines in his face were deeper. He'dsearched every pleasure palace from New Orleans to Natchez. He'ddone it knowing it was hopeless, but he wouldn't give up. Finally,he'd come full circle back to Charleston, without a trace. Hecollided with a burly sea captain.

"Well, I'll be damned! Patrick John FrancisO'Reilly, himself! Let me buy you a drink, boss; you look like youcould use one."

"Big Jim, I haven't seen you in years. Didyou just make port?" asked Patrick.

"Aye, aye, sir. By God, you're looking rough.It has to be a woman!"

"We can get a drink in here, Jim. I've somequestions to put to you."

They sat down at a table and ordered rum.

"Have you been to the islands lately, Jim?"asked Patrick, getting straight to the point.

"I've just come up from down there."

"I've been going mad looking for a youngwoman...."