e jumped on the
mattress as if trying it: "Say, is this here for effect, or do you
sleep on it?"

"I sleep on it," said Laura quietly.

"No wonder you look tired," laughed her caller. "Say, listen, dearie,
what else is the matter with you, anyway?"

Laura looked up at her companion in pretended surprise.

"Matter?" she echoed. "Why, nothing."

"Oh, yes, there is," insisted Elfie, shaking her head sagaciously.
"What's happened between you and Brockton?" Noticing the faded flowers
in the vase on the table, she took them out, and after tossing them
into the fireplace, refilled the vase with the fresh gardenias which
she was wearing. Meantime, she did not stop chattering. "He's not
broke, because I saw him the other day."

"You saw him? Where?"

"In the park. He asked me out to luncheon, but I couldn't go. You know,
dearie, I've got to be so careful. Jerry's so awful jealous--the old
fool."

Laura had to smile in spite of herself.

"Do you see much of Jerry nowadays?"

"Not any more than I can help and be nice," chuckled Elfie. "He gets on
my nerves. Of course, I have heard about your quitting Brockton."

"Then why do you ask?" demanded Laura.

"Just wanted to hear from your own dear lips what the trouble was. Now,
tell me all about it. Can I smoke here?"

Pulling her gold cigarette-case up with her chatelaine, she opened it,
and selected a cigarette.

"Certainly," said Laura, getting the matches from the bureau and
putting them on the table.

"Have one?" said her companion.

"No, thank you," said Laura, sitting down so that she faced her
companion.

"H'm-m, h'm-m, hah!" sputtered Elfie, lighting her cigarette. "Now, go
ahead. Tell me all the scandal. I'm just crazy to know."

"There's nothing to tell," said Laura wearily. "I haven't been able to
find work, that is all, and I'm short of money. You can't live in
hotels, you know, and have cabs and all that sort of thing, when you're
not working."

"Yes, you can," retorted her visitor. "I haven't worked in a year."

"But you don't understand, dear. I--I--well, you know, I--well, you
know--I can't say what I want."

"Oh, yes, you can. You can say anything to me--everybody else does.
We've been pals. I know you got along a little faster in the business
than I did. The chorus was my limit, and you went into the legitimate
thing. But we got our living just the same way. I didn't suppose there
was any secret between you and me about that."

"I know t