“That isn’t it,” he said. “We’ve got to do something about it.” “About what?” “Don’t be dumb.” He seemed to feel more cheerful now. He was filling his pipe again, but was still sulky. “Well, we aren’t ever going to do anything about it, then,” she said decidedly. He shrugged his shoulders. “Good-bye, then, I guess you can get home all right.” “Good-bye,” she said. In a rush of remorse, she paused at the door. “Honestly, is that the way you feel about it?” she asked. “Didn’t you ever just like me?” “Well, Jesus Christ, Gin,” he cried. “You’re a girl. How did you expect me to feel?” “I don’t know,” she said miserably. “I thought maybe it wasn’t bad, just playing around. Can’t I ever have any friends unless I sleep with them? You pretended to like me.” “I can’t see it that way. You see,” he said carefully, “I’ve got plenty of _friends_. Fellows. I wanted a girl. It’s too much trouble, having a girl for a friend. That isn’t what a girl is for. I mean, why take the trouble?” “Oh,” she said. She hesitated, looking out the open door at the road. “Well, then....” she paused. He said nothing. “Well, then. I didn’t know that was how you felt.” “Everybody feels that way, I should think,” he said. “Oh! I’m sorry. Well, then ... goodbye.” “Good-bye,” he said. He didn’t even stand up. “Take care of yourself,” he added suddenly, and then he looked away for as long as the door was still open. She walked as fast as she could, trying to start thinking about something. She couldn’t think. She was feeling numb and stupid. If she started to think there would be too much in her mind. But something must be done. Something would have to happen in a minute. She almost ran down the street, away from the house. Her own fault for going out with him at all. She should never have gone out with him or with anybody unless she was going to sleep with them ultimately. Letting them take her to dinner, fooling them and riding around in their cars just on the strength of a false promise. That was the way they all felt.... Wasn’t there anyone who just liked her? Was there anyone who felt the way she did, just going along without making plans about getting things from other people? Just talking and letting things happen? She stumbled on a rock in the road, and kicked it furiously aside. Crossing a bridge at the aqueduct, she stopped for breath, and felt tears on her cheeks. She must have been making a noise all the way along the road. How horrible. Everything. How shameful. As soon as he saw it was no use he didn’t even take her home. Well, if that was nature.... But what a lonely world. _Everybody_.... Perhaps even old Mr. Dunstan. After this it wouldn’t be right for Mr. Dunstan to buy her Coca Colas when she met him in the plaza.