"Don't mention it, Mineola. You're a new girl in this studio, aren't you?"
"Yeh, it's my first day here. But I've been other places," she added hastily.
"Friend of anybody?" asked Mrs. Lee, taking Minnie's slender hand in her soft, plump one and stroking it in a kind but patronizing manner.
"Yes, I am," answered Minnie with a touch of pride. "Mr. Al Kessler is a particular friend of mine. He brought me here."
"Al Kessler!" shrieked Alicia, and his name rose to a dozen throats. "So Al's your particular friend, is he? Well, that's nice, ain't it, girls? I'll bet you thirty dollars he told her that she'd be a raving beauty on the screen. Who'll take me up on it?"
"I'll bet fifty dollars he told her he was the white-haired boy in the studio and he'd get her in right with Binns. Didn't he, Mineola?"
Mrs. Lee put her arms protectingly around Minnie's shoulder.
"You girls make me tired," she said in her soft, kind voice. "You're always trying to kid somebody. Al Kessler may not be the most popular fellow in the world but he's a clever kid."
"Oh, Al Kessler," the girls were still whispering, "wouldn't that make you laugh?"
Minnie sat there, hating them, yet fascinated and longing to be accepted on an equal footing by them. She was relieved when Eleanor came back into the room. She already looked upon her as a friend and sensed her protective interest.
Eleanor, walking unsteadily, reached for the corner of the dressing table.
