"Do you?" I parried. "Well

she said rather uncertainly.

"Fine, let's go see how the other third lives; don't be surprised if someone asks me for a date, though." I had been at one or two of these things before, once by accident, once on invitation and neither had really impressed me.

"I don't think anyone will ever guess." was her answer. As she changed directions, I was once more struck by a barrage of questions, but most of all was the one What of you, dear Beth? Does only your

hairdresser know?

This enclave was no whit different from the others I had seen. This time, however, I was impressed that the presence of a newcomer didn't seem to freeze everything up. There were all manner of people there - some of them so fantastic, so flamboyant that one could only conclude that they were like some rare tropical flowers that only bloom at night.

We didn't stay very long. I mean, it's not my idea of fun, sitting all crowded together watching a few boys dance with each other and drinking warm beer. I guess Beth felt the same way for at one point she caught my eye and motioned toward the door with her head. Just as we were leaving, an older man, balding and perspiring heavily, caught Beth by the arm and asked very loudly, "What about your friend?"

Beth slipped her arm out of his grasp and said "Visiting cousin from out of town she's straight."

The older man looked sadly at me and said, again very loudly, “Pity. She'd make such a beautiful boy!!"

air.

"Congratulations." Beth said when we were out in the blissfully fresh

"For what?" I wanted to know.

"You have just passed the acid test — if that bunch can't 'read' you, you're safe anywhere short of a Turkish bath."

"Thanks. But did we really go there just to see how I'd stand up?” She didn't answer me again. We walked the rest of the way back to her apartment in silence. Somehow, I wished I'd learned not to ask so many questions.

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