women her age. She was only a few years older than Lyle. Maybe he would fall for Mother. Or she could find someone else nice who would. Some men liked older women, like that Vermillion. Mother ought to have a settled life of her own.
"We'll think about it," Lucy said firmly and saw Mae's face droop.
"I never thought," Lucy said, after Lyle left, "I'd mind not paying my own rent but I do. We can afford a two- or even three-room apartment on Park Avenue. At least for the run of the show. I don't love Lyle and wouldn't want to marry him. I just don't want you to be disappointed."
"Well, dear, you must do as you like," Mae said, obviously disappointed.
"Well, if you want to and think we should try it—after all, we can always move out. Anyway, I think Lyle likes you better than me," Lucy said, laughing at Mother perking up, though she herself didn't feel gay at all.
They each had their own bedroom for the first time.
Lucy walked about in the expensive imitation French living room with its pale blue and yellow satin upholstery.
"It doesn't look very comfortable but then when I'm home I'm always in bed or getting dressed. Lyle should see you in your new orchid dressing gown."
"Oh, Lucy, don't tease your old mother like that," Mae simpered.
At the theatre Lucy was now kowtowed to even more than Tessie Soler, the star, which meant the girls talked not to but about her, and even the boys, though still friendly, no longer came home with her as they used to, stopping to buy sandwiches and potato salad. Instead Beman, Soler, Lyle, and herself made a foursome. Their table always drew envious glances because they seemed so gay, and Lucy mused that if she wasn't the Toast at least she was the Talk of the Town, and how Tessie would like to be in her place. It was fun, especially after a few glasses of champagne which drowned the nagging dread of the time when she would have to let him make love. She could not fathom why it should worry her so because she liked him, especially because of the affectionate way he treated Mother; and because of this, tried extra hard to be nice to him too. Mother was very happy.
