Page:Minnie Flynn (1925).pdf/17

 hysterically when Minnie smiled, revealing yellow buck teeth made of orange peel.

The final touch to Minnie's imitation was the way Jeeps stood, rocking on his broad flat feet, his hands clasped in back of him, his open frock coat revealing a faded green silk vest and a ponderous gold watch chain.

All this Elsie was thinking about as the two girls, bodies bent to brace the wind, were hurrying homeward. Minnie broke the long silence.

"Say, Els, what you moonin' about? A fellow would think you was deaf and dumb."

"I was goin' over the fun we had in the locker room tonight. Honest, Min, I'd just die if they ever took you out of the Odds and Ends and put you on the main floor."

Elsie linked her arm through Minnie's and a contented look came into her dull eyes; men were looking at them. What if their eyes measured hers and lingered upon Minnie—she was being looked at just the same. She liked their personal, appraising stares; it made her believe for the moment that she too was desired. Elsie wanted men more than Minnie. She was ten years older. Her body had been wracked with torturing illnesses, and with needs more mental than physical. A fear tormented her, gnawed at her—the bitter fate of growing old unmated. Some of the girls were afraid of her. The men despised her. She was seldom invited anywhere, but often forced herself into Minnie's parties. Like most homely girls who are aware of their looks, she tried to hide her self-consciousness by an assumed boisterousness, her pain and need by a callous indifference. She was insulting to the men and girls, morose and resentful.

Arm and arm they walked, Elsie finding it difficult to keep up with Minnie's quick steps.