Page:Levenson - Butterfly Man.djvu/56

54 He collapsed on the bed. Ken turned away and left the room.

In the morning, Ken asked Johnson to drive him to the School of Terpsichore.

"Sure was some party you had las' night," commented the chauffeur. "That dressmaker fellow slept all night in the bath tub and Kari, he tells me some other man fell down the garden steps and lay in the bed of pansies all night."

Ken told Johnson he had slept in the servant's lodge. "'Tain't for you to let Mister Lowell know that," Johnson smiled.

Ken did not reply. His mind was busily trying to find escape from his dilemma. For he knew that he could not, nor did he want to, remain at Star-ridge.

Listlessly he worked in the classes. Just before noon he met Anita.

"Hello, Romeo," she laughed. "Was that you serenading outside my window all night long?" She laughed mockingly and Ken flushed.

"How about having lunch with me?" he asked.

"What for?"

"I want to work with you."

"Sure 'nough?" she asked.

"Sure 'nough, sister," Ken's voice warmed to enthusiasm.

"I'll be there," said Anita.

Sitting opposite him in the Gypsy tea-room on Western Avenue, Anita Rogers talked about herself. She was, she said, lazy. She didn't mind admitting she had tried everything. "I've modelled gowns up in Frisco. I worked as a