Maude. Dot sat silent while Ted chipped in with a yarn about the woman who didn't want any more children.
Her glance met Eddie's, and there was a blush on Dot's face that made her turn from him. Were these people her friends? She had wanted to come there. She couldn't let Eddie see that she hated them, hated being in this dusty, smoke-filled room with the vulgar and shameless Maude. And so they stayed while Maude fed a score of cigarettes to her amber holder. Sue waited with honest boredom for the bundles which were for her "friend."
It was Pat Macy who at length yawned sleepily. "It's twelve o'clock," he said. "Time to go, Sue."
"Yes," she agreed, walking toward the table where she had laid her hat. "Where are those boxes, Maude? Can I get them?"
She could. Maude directed her upstairs and turned her attention to Dot.
"Are you going, too?" she asked, noting that Dot had risen from her chair.
"I must. I should have gone an hour ago." There was a frightened look in Dot's eyes. Her brows were drawn together nervously.
"What are you scared of? The dark?" Maude laughed. "I'm sure Mr. Collins could be persuaded to take you home."
Sue reappeared with a hat box and four flat oblong boxes tied together. She handed them to Pat and wasted no time saying good night to her benefactress. A brief "So long," and Sue was walking down the steps to Alexander Avenue.
The others followed.
"Thank God that's over," Sue said. "I hate that house worse than poison."
"It's like all the other houses in the row," said Dot.
"Oh, I mean I hate Maude and Ted and their actions."
