"London trip?"

"Of course! And I DO so want to hear more about those darling little penguins, my dear!"

The doctor frozenly smiled and headed for the door.

"Oh look, everybody. it IS snowing!" Maud Ellen exclaimed.

Billie recoiled at the icy air. The snowflakes were huge and blinding. She found herself walking, but she could not see the walk. She suddenly felt her arm gripped strongly.

"Watch your step. Miss Winters. I am afraid you exceeded your capacity on drinking."

Billie bit her lip to keep back the tears.

Yes, she was drunk. They all had known it. What a mess she had been. She found herself being let down into a car seat. She guided the doctor by pointing, not trusting herself to speak.

"Here," Billie said flatly on arriving.

She fumbled with the car door. It suddenly opened, and she found herself being ably assisted out. On standing, a foot slipped in the snow, and she found herself full against the doctor.

"Steady. Are you all right?"

Billie nodded weakly. The bonfire was raging.

The doctor put an arm around Billie's waist and flung one of Billie's arms over her shoulders. She disentangled herself at the door.

"The key?"

Billie took the key from her pocket.

"Good night, Miss Winters."

By the time Billie got turned around, the car was moving away. "Good bye," she cried out, and she waved.

Suddenly a hot dark nausea arose from within her. She sucked in a deep breath. She must get to bed.

On entering the apartment, the warmth sickeningly enveloped her. As she took off her coat, the floor began slowly rocking, and she sank onto the sofa. She kicked off her shoes and lit a cigarette.

What a ghastly, horrible evening! What had made it so awful? It had been

one

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