orner of my own,
where I'd never have to see a glove no more!"

She curled up on the bed, forgetful of everything but her own potential
happiness.

"He sure did everything but pop to-night. Come over here and kiss me,
kid."

They kissed.

"My red kimono's on the top shelf--you undress first; just help
yourself." She slumped deeper in bed. "I guess you didn't make some hit
yourself to-night, _Miss_ Harkins--and I guess I didn't make some hit
myself!"

Lulu laughed immoderately. Lilly fingered the lace at her throat.

"What's the matter? You ain't sore at the joke, are you, _Miss_
Harkins?"

"No," replied Lilly; she spoke through a mental and physical nausea--a
reaction which laid violent hold of and sickened her. Lulu loomed to her
like a grotesque figure. The imprint of Mr. Sippy's farewell hand-shake
was still moist in her own hand.

"What time is it, Loo?"

"Well, what do you know about that? It's ten after one! Gee! don't I
wish to-morrow was Sunday? You gotta climb out early with me if you're
goin' to that job."

"One o'clock!" Lilly's voice caught in terror. "One o'clock! I can't
beat Charley home no more now."

"Whatta you mean? Ain't you goin' to stay here with me? You ain't
quittin' now, are you--after all the trouble I went to to interdooce you
to my gentlemen friends?"

Lilly nodded.

"You been awfully good, Loo; but I ain't got the nerve. I gotta go back
to Charley."

Lulu jerked to a sitting posture, her feet dangling over the edge of the
bed.

"Well, ain't this a fine come-off! What'll my friends think of me? I
always say you never get no thanks for tryin' to help other people;
that's what I get for tryin' to do the right thing by you."

"It ain't you, Loo--I had a fine and dandy time."

"Come on, Lil--come to bed, and you'll be all right in the mornin'. Gee!
Won't the girls be glad to see the beauty back? Come on to bed--it's too
late for you to go back to-night, anyhow; there's time to talk 'bout
things in the mornin'. I wouldn't let any man know I couldn't get along
without him! Come on, Lil, and tell me what the guy to-night was like."

Lilly was pinning on her hat in an agony of haste.

"I left the note on the pincushion. If he goes in the kitchen for his
milk first, like he does on hot nights, maybe I can beat him! He may
be--"

Her voice trailed down the hall. She fumbled a little at the street
door, hot flushes darting over her body.

In the street-car Lilly dug her na