Laura was flattered. But the feelings in her were too personal, too rough, to dissipate with strangers. “Thanks,” she said. “I’d like to, but I’m looking for somebody. I’m in a hurry.” “Who’re you looking for? Maybe we can help you out,” said the girl, stopping Laura as she started to move away. Laura realized the girl was interested in her, and it made her turn back once more. “Oh,” she said with a little shrug, “you wouldn’t know her.” “Somebody might. We’re over here a lot. What’s her name?” Laura was dead certain they’d know Beebo, who came over here all the time. The last thing she wanted was to have everybody run up and tell Beebo that Laura had been looking for her. The bartender would no doubt tell her. That was bad enough. “What’s her name?” the girl prompted, and then smiled. “Don’t want to tell?” Laura blushed and backed away from her. “I just owe her some money. I thought she’d be down here tonight.” “Who?” the girl goaded her, with a pretty smile. “Beebo Brinker.” Laura didn’t mean to say it. Yet saying it was better than trying to hide it and getting laughed at. They could always ask the bartender who she was looking for after she left, and she would look even worse. They would take her stammering reluctance for infatuation. She said the name as casually as she could. “Oh, Beebo!” The girl laughed. “She left half an hour ago. She’s over at the Colophon. She said this place was dead tonight. I guess if she’d known you were coming she would have waited—hm?” She smiled. “I guess,” said Laura briefly. She stared at the girl. It occurred to her that she saw a slight resemblance to Beth in her face. Then she turned and walked out. The slim girl walked back to her table. Her partner said peevishly, “Maybe that’ll teach you you’re not irresistible.” “Oh, shut up,” the slim girl said quietly. “She’s Beebo Brinker’s girl.” “Beebo’s girl, hell. Beebo’s got a dozen girls. She can really pick ’em though, I’ll say that much. I should get one like that.” And she made a face at the slim one by her side. Chapter Eleven Laura went home. She arrived before ten, but Marcie wasn’t back yet. Laura put a book she had been reading on Marcie’s bed and climbed into her own bed. She tried to read herself, but she couldn’t. An hour went by, and no Marcie. Nervously, Laura shut her book and dropped it to the floor. She got up and went into the bathroom to brush her teeth, and remembered she had already done it. Then she went to the phone. She didn’t know what was coming over her. She only felt a deep will-defying unhappiness. She pulled out the phone book and looked up the number of the McAlton Hotel. She sat for a moment with the book open in her lap, unable to move. Then she reached slowly for the phone.