Page:Minnie Flynn (1925).pdf/19

 herself, and believe me, if Nettie wasn't sick I wouldn't be wearin' my straw clean into October neither."

They stopped before a shoe store. Minnie wanted to look at pumps.

"Oh, God, how I hate shoes," whined Elsie, wetting her dry lips. "My bunions is somethin' fierce! I never get a pair that don't look big and clumsy. I wish I had feet like yours, Min. What size do you wear?"

Minnie wore three and a half, but she answered, "Oh, about two's, I guess."

Elsie sighed. "Gee, but you're a lucky girl, Minnie," she said, giving her a long envious glance. "You got good looks and you're young. Of course you ain't got much of a shape," she added, glancing critically at Minnie's straight, boyish figure. "Why don't you stuff an old stockin' and wear it over your chest?"

"I hate bein' flat." Minnie threw out her chest with a quick intake of breath. "But if I was to pad, Jimmy would certainly make it hot for me. He'd tease the life out o' me."

"If that ain't like a kid brother. They'd rather see their sisters lookin' like frights." After a long pause, somewhat embarrassed, she said, "Pete don't worry you though, does he, Min?" As she mentioned Pete's name Elsie's voice changed. It lowered in key and trembled perceptibly.

"Pete don't know he's alive," said Minnie evenly. "He gives me a pain."

Elsie was silent. The hot blush which mounted to her temples beat the pulses in her throat. Minnie saw it and her lips quivered contemptuously. "Els, you're a fool to be stuck on a fellow that don't care about nobody but himself."

After a minute's silence, Elsie said, staring at Minnie with stern condemnation, "I'm surprised at you talkin' that way