Page:Bad Girl (1929).pdf/86

 and it ain't natural you'd be praising him so if you were saying what you really think."

Edna's lips curled with exasperation. "Right," said she. "I'm just being Pollyanna. Eddie's a filthy skunk. He never intended to marry you, and by now I'll bet he's half-way to Australia. What should he marry you for? He done his dirty work and is probably laughing a whole string of ha-ha's. You might as well become a streetwalker now. That's all that's left for you. As for myself, I'm going to the kitchen to save that piece of salt pork from Floyd. All men are up to destruction."

So saying, Edna disappeared in the direction of the kitchen. Dot considered the room uninterestedly. What was it all for? Something that Sue Cudahy often said came back to her: You're born, you kick around here for a while, and then you die. Sue Cudahy indeed! That she should complain! It wouldn't have been Sue to let one rainy night ruin the rest of her life. And if, by any chance, Sue had been frail, it would have been like her to spend the night in her lover's bed in order to get him down to City Hall early.

Edna called from the kitchen, "Come on, Dot, have some eggs and coffee."

"No, I don't think I want any, thanks. I'm going out for a while."

Edna appeared on the threshold. Her eyes were no party to the expression of disgust with which her lips were twisted.

"What do you mean, out? Where will you go?"

"Oh, for a walk."

"Don't be a fool. Have some coffee."

Suddenly Dot was crying. Great, splashing tears fell unhampered to the gay little pink ruffle that trimmed her dress.

"Oh, Edna, I'm so miserable."