All Texans don’t go around saying “Howdy, pardner”.’

‘Yes, I know. I’m from Louisiana, myself. But I do have a pretty fair ear for accents. You’ve lost yours entirely.’

‘I never really had one,’ I said. ‘But while we’re on this Professor ‘Iggins kick, you can spot it if you listen closely. I still boot one occasionally. Thanksgiving, for instance. And afternoon. That over-stressed first syllable is pure Texan.’

She nodded. ‘And Southern. You must have a good ear yourself.’

I shrugged. ‘I had a little speech training. At one time I was going to be an actor.’

She regarded me with interest. ‘But you’re not in show business?’

‘No,’ I said. ‘Advertising. But how about the fishing? Do you want to try it?’

‘Oh, yes. Very much. But I’m not sure yet I can make it tomorrow. Could I let you know tonight?’

‘Sure,’ I said. ‘Why don’t we have dinner together?’

She smiled. ‘I’m afraid I couldn’t, tonight. But thanks, anyway. Suppose I call you around ten or eleven. Will you be in then?’

I said yes. She asked several more questions about fishing, refused the offer of another drink, and left to go back to the motel. I swam for a while, wondering about her. I couldn’t place her at all. Was she really interested in fishing, or was she just a girl away from home looking for a little fun? If the latter, I thought, she had a very cool approach to it. I wondered if she had money. A bathing suit revealed a lot of interesting statistical data, but it didn’t say a damn thing when it came to financial status.

I was lying in bed around eleven reading The Hidden Persuaders when the phone rang. ‘Well, I can go,’ she said eagerly.

‘That’s great.