Page:Bad Girl (1929).pdf/155

 "And some are brave straight through. Take that soap box of yours somewhere else, Maude." Dot's young shoulders squared themselves under her pink silk scarf. "I'm not afraid of any pain that millions of other women have stood."

"I'll see you in the hospital," said Maude and walked away. She was vexed with Dot Collins. If Dot had behaved herself and let Maude tell her what to do, Maude might even have given her that red dress that Ted hated so. But there wasn't any sense in doing things for people whose lives you couldn't run. And Dot would be in a fine fix with a baby. Fancy not being able to afford a fur coat and being sap enough to have a kid.

She went over and spoke to Ted. They said good-by to Sue and scattered a smile around the room. Yes, it was too bad that Sue hadn't been able to find Pat, but she could give him their message. Sue took them to the door.

"I hear that Dot is going to have a baby," said Maude.

"Yes," said Sue.

"Isn't she a fool?" Maude demanded of Sue.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Sue said. "People know their own business best."

Sue had already received a wedding present from Maude.

"Well," said Maude, "good-by."

Sue walked back to the noisy room and looked for Dot. But the camp stool was empty. Dot's moment of indecision was over. She was standing in the Cudahy's bathroom thanking God that nobody had noticed her sudden departure.

The door opened. There isn't a bathroom in the Bronx with a lock that really works. Mrs. Cudahy stood there looking at Dot wonderingly.

"Did you drink too much?"