絲

"Just a minute, I want to go-"

"Oh sure honey."

She took another deep breath, then walked quickly into the bathroom. She turned on the faucet, then just stood still for some time until her breathing became easier. She placed a hand under the cool water, then filled a cup and drank. The bonfire had suffused a delicious glowing aliveness to her very fingertips. That handsome, striking woman!

COULD she be?

George HE had invited her! He must know-why else would he invite her? It MUST have been on purpose. Of course, she MUST be!

Billie's hands flew to her face and she looked into the mirror. She jerked off her glasses. She must remember to sit close. Yes, perhaps her eyes were beautiful. Thank God she had one good feature. She combed her short nondescript brown hair. She could find no lipstick.

Oh NO! She was wearing that horrible wool blouse covered in front with the huge whalebone buttons that Aunt Marie had sent! She had only worn it tonight as a joke. Oh if ONLY she had known!

She started. What if Maud Ellen went in without her? She COULDN'T enter alone! In panic, she rushed out.

Maud Ellen was taking off her apron. "Shall we go in honey?" she smiled brightly.

Maud Ellen's bright smile first froze, then thawed into flabby incredulity, then, after her eyes had made a wild explanation-seeking sweep of the room, her lips almost disappeared in an iceberg glare at George.

George's face was aflame. His lips moved ineffectually. Finally he was able to clear his throat, then to utter words.

"Dear, may I introduce Dr. Kurtman? Doctor, this is my wife, Maud Ellen." The two curt how-do-you-do's were completely simultaneous.

Just like the opening of a Greek play, Billie thought nervously.

"And, doctor, this is our good friend, Miss Billie Winters. Billie, may I introduce Dr. Kurtman?"

9