‘‘Felt like a rooster in a henhouse, didn’t you? That Bobbi makes me wish I was forty years younger, I’ll tell you.’’

I glanced at Gilbey. Manvil had a twinkle in his eye, too. ‘‘Have you guys suddenly turned into dirty old men? Suddenly?’’

‘‘No,’’ Max said. ‘‘We’re too far past it even to pretend.’’

‘‘Speak for yourself, Weider,’’ Gilbey snapped. ‘‘This soldier ain’t ready to lie down.’’

‘‘It ain’t the lyin’ down, Bubba. It’s the gettin’ up.’’ Old Man Weider made a wave-off gesture, then indicated a chair close by. ‘‘Park it. Let’s talk.’’

‘‘I can’t take the heat.’’

‘‘I should remember. I’m the lizard. The rest of you are warm-blooded.’’ He compromised. He moved far enough from the fire that I would just sweat, not drip drops of grease.

‘‘So, what’s the story? Alyx was vague.’’

‘‘That girl’s always vague. She ain’t right. I need to find her a husband.’’

‘‘Don’t look at me.’’

‘‘I didn’t think you’d volunteer. One of the reasons I like you. Though never too close to my baby girl.’’

Gilbey asked, ‘‘Want a beer while we talk?’’

‘‘Sure. And you bringing that up makes me wonder if I shouldn’t change my mind.’’

‘‘About?’’

‘‘About marrying. Alyx. I’d have free beer for life.’’

Max chuckled. ‘‘It wouldn’t be a long one, Garrett. That girl has notions about how things oughta be, even if she ain’t figured out where she fits. Still, you talkin’ about marryin’ for the beer instead of the money . . . I like that.’’

Gilbey lugged over three big tankards. He settled. We three made up points of a lopsided triangle.

The professional fire tender left without being invited. Probably part of his job to know when.

I said, ‘‘There was talk about ghosts. And bugs.’’

‘‘At the World, you mean.’’ Gilbey. With foam on his upper lip.