Page:Bad Girl (1929).pdf/216

 "Oh, come in," said Dot.

Maude came in. She took in the little apartment at a glance. "Oh, what a charming place you have."

"Yes, we like it," said Dot, sweetly.

She took the roses which Maude extended to her, and thanked her. She emptied the artificial cherry blossoms without ceremony into one of the chest's drawers and got water for the roses.

"Well, how are you feeling, Dot?"

"Fine."

"The baby is late in coming, isn't it? And it's so very warm this year."

"Oh, is it unusually warm? I haven't felt the heat at all this summer."

"But it does grow tiresome waiting, I'll bet."

Dot smiled. "No, I've been so busy, I haven't noticed the time at all." She sat down and continued to smile. "When did you get back from Atlantic City?"

"Yesterday. I saw Sue last night. Before I saw her I thought I'd be going to the sanitarium today to see you. What does your doctor think? Are you coming on all right?"

"Oh, fine. I have a very good doctor, you know. I wanted some one who was very good. My friend, Mrs. Driggs, lost her husband just before her baby was born, and she was so weak and ill from shock that she had to have a good doctor to see her through; so she got this Dr. Stewart, and I have him, too."

"That's nice," said Maude.

The muscles of Dot's face were beginning to ache from overwork, but she was afraid to let her face drop into repose. She knew that she looked tired, pained, and a good six years older than her right.

They talked for an hour. Dot prepared some lemonade for Maude. She showed her the other rooms of the apart-