Sho

during that time, anything might have happoned. She picked up the receiver resolutely, and dialed his number. Tho cheerful voice said: "Good Afternoon...Stewart Corporation..." Then she hung up quickly, feeling guilty that the had even disturbed the switchboard operator. Sho flopped down on the bed, and stared up at the coiling. Maybe the Puerto Ricans next door would get drunk this evening, ard create some interesting chaœ. She closed her eye se Friday. A rainy Friday afternoon in Manhattan. Two-thiry on a rainy Friday afternoon in Manhattan, remembered suddenly, that it was always on Friday, around six o'clock, that "The-two-in-the-basement" made their advance payments. They always managed to stay three weeks ahoad; this annoyed Thelma. Why couldn't they be like the rest of the struggling roomers, and slip behind once in a while; but no, they had to stay paid-up, three weeks in advanco. Why did they have to act so damn respectable, when anyone could see by just looking at them, that they were freaks...perverts...Lesbians. Especially that tall one; hor with that smart-alock attitude, the way she always said: "Well, here I am again." Especially that tall with the plaid shirt, and the well-pressed slacks, on Saturday afternoon, carrying in bundles; and laughing, the way they laughed in the hall, just out side her door. Two-forty-five; Friday, a rainy Friday afternoon, with the raindrops making a special music of their own against the window-pane. Thelma olo sod her eyes.

one;

The dream took only a short time, and when she awoke, sho was conscious only of a gnawing irritation, something vague, and half-forgotten. Sho twisted in hor narrow bed; and then the full force of remembrance struck her. She went throughṭit again, with even the smallest dotails. standing out vividly. She remembered that she was walking down a flight of stairs, but she could not seem to get to the bottom. She thought that this was strange, as she know that there were only eighteen steps; but sho kopt going. Then, she wasn't alone on the stairway; the tall ono was walking along with her; the masculino one, who wore tailored slacks.

"There are only eight een stops," she had said to the tall

one.

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