Laura felt grateful to him. He must have done it to enhance her in Marcie’s eyes, even if he did disapprove of her infatuation. “Did he say that?” she said, pleased. “He did. And he’s right.” Laura was taken aback. Then she said quickly, “You’re both crazy.” “No, you are. We’re right. You never looked at yourself, you silly girl. You don’t _know_ what you look like.” “Do you?” It sounded stupid, but it came out in spite of her. “Sure. I’ve looked at you when you weren’t noticing.” _When could that have been?_ “I think you have a fascinating face.” “But not pretty.” “Lovely.” “Marcie, listen to me, I—” She was shaky, mixed up from the hangover and the unexpected flattery. She should have said something terrible, something intimate, if Dr. Hollingsworth hadn’t come in early. He nodded at her as he walked through the office. Sarah was still in the wash room putting on her face. “’Morning, my dear,” said the doctor with a sort of modified bow as he sailed past. She returned the greeting and Marcie said, “I’ll get you in dutch. You’d better hang up. Will you be home tonight?” “Yes. I’ll be home.” “Good girl. See you at six.” Laura hung up bewildered. She felt good and she felt lousy. Her head was throbbing but her heart was high. She wanted to talk to Jack. She didn’t care who caught her. She picked up the phone and dialed his office. “I just talked to Marcie,” she said, unable to keep the pleasure out of her voice. He sensed her excitement. “Did she propose?” he said, wryly amused. “No, you idiot!” Laura burst out laughing. “She said I was beautiful.” Unconsciously she exaggerated. “Jesus, she has a screw loose,” he said. “She said you were talking about me before I got home. Thanks, Jack.” “Listen, Mother,” he said. “Let’s get this straight. I want her to think we’re nuts for each other. I also think you’re a pretty girl, and I said so. But I didn’t say it to get Marcie all steamed up.” “Well, I don’t care why you did it. She is steamed up.” “You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.” “Oh, Jack, be nice to me! I’m in love, for God’s sake!” “Okay, you’re in love. I believe you. Worse things have happened. I’ll have to work a drastic cure on you.” She laughed at him. “Too late,” she said. “You’re not going to get stabbed like I was, Laura.” She recalled the defenseless mushroom with a little shiver of distaste. “Don’t be morbid,” she said. “I’m a realist.” “You’re blind. She’s falling for me. I can tell. She must be, or she wouldn’t—” Here Sarah walked in. “Jack, I’ll call you back,” she said. “I dare you to. Call me back this afternoon, when you’re hung over to your knees, and tell me how much you’re in love.” “I’m telling you now!” “You talk like a fish. Go on, type your damn reports. Send some poor bastard up for TB. Or enlarged heart. At least it’ll be a normal disease.” She hung up with a smack. _He’s a morbid miserable old man_, she thought. _I’m not that cynical yet._