Page:Minnie Flynn (1925).pdf/157

 thing that took away from the pleasure of hurting Minnie was that tired, unhappy look in her eyes.

Minnie, bitterly disappointed, slowly rounded the corner and bumped right into Madge Connors.

"Why, Minnie!" cried Madge, her first impulse to rush up to her former friend with that careless caress which has become so much a woman's habit. Suddenly, instinctively they both withdrew, Madge embarrassed because she was sure she had taken Minnie's place in Billy's heart; Minnie because of that sealskin coat! They stood there, rigid, chilled by the reproaches in each other's eyes.

Then Minnie, in icy tones, said, "How do you do, Madge, you're lookin' very well."

"Thank you," replied Madge in much the same tone. "It's cold tonight, ain't it?"

Minnie laughed ironically. "Maybe for you, Madge, but not for me."

As if rooted to the spot they stood there teetering slightly, Madge buttoning and unbuttoning her sealskin coat.

Finally she spoke, "I seen somebody that was talkin' about you the other day."

"Oh, was they?" said Minnie arching her eyebrows, and holding out her hand in Eleanor's accepted style. "Well, good night, Madge."

"Good night."

Minnie had heard Billy's thumping footsteps behind her. Her face was red. If Billy saw it he would guess what lay in her heart. She quickened her steps. . . someone running in back of her. . ..

"Min! Wait a minute. I got something to say to you."

"To me, Billy?"

"Yeh, don't get sore, Min. I just wanted to ask if you'd have dinner with Madge and I."