Laura looked up at her companion in pretended surprise. "Matter?" she echoed. "Why, nothing." "Oh, yes, there is," insisted Elfie, shaking her head sagaciously. "What's happened between you and Brockton?" Noticing the faded flowers in the vase on the table, she took them out, and after tossing them into the fireplace, refilled the vase with the fresh gardenias which she was wearing. Meantime, she did not stop chattering. "He's not broke, because I saw him the other day." "You saw him? Where?" "In the park. He asked me out to luncheon, but I couldn't go. You know, dearie, I've got to be so careful. Jerry's so awful jealous--the old fool." Laura had to smile in spite of herself. "Do you see much of Jerry nowadays?" "Not any more than I can help and be nice," chuckled Elfie. "He gets on my nerves. Of course, I have heard about your quitting Brockton." "Then why do you ask?" demanded Laura. "Just wanted to hear from your own dear lips what the trouble was. Now, tell me all about it. Can I smoke here?" Pulling her gold cigarette-case up with her chatelaine, she opened it, and selected a cigarette. "Certainly," said Laura, getting the matches from the bureau and putting them on the table. "Have one?" said her companion. "No, thank you," said Laura, sitting down so that she faced her companion. "H'm-m, h'm-m, hah!" sputtered Elfie, lighting her cigarette. "Now, go ahead. Tell me all the scandal. I'm just crazy to know." "There's nothing to tell," said Laura wearily. "I haven't been able to find work, that is all, and I'm short of money. You can't live in hotels, you know, and have cabs and all that sort of thing, when you're not working." "Yes, you can," retorted her visitor. "I haven't worked in a year." "But you don't understand, dear. I--I--well, you know, I--well, you know--I can't say what I want." "Oh, yes, you can. You can say anything to me--everybody else does. We've been pals. I know you got along a little faster in the business than I did. The chorus was my limit, and you went into the legitimate thing. But we got our living just the same way. I didn't suppose there was any secret between you and me about that." "I know there wasn't then, Elfie; but I tell you I'm different now. I don't want to do that sort of thing, and I've been very unlucky. This has been a terribly hard season for me. I simply haven't been able to get an engagement." "Well, you can't get on this way," said Elfie. She paused a moment, knocking the ashes off her cigarette to cover her hesitation, and then went on: "Won't Brockton help you out?" Laura rose abruptly and walked over to the fireplace. With some display of impatience, she exclaimed: "What's the use of talking to you, Elfie? You don't understand." Her legs crossed in masculine style, and puffing the cigarette deliberately, Elfie looked at her friend quizzingly: "No?" she said mockingly. "Why don't I understand?" "Because you can't," cried Laura hotly; "you've never felt as I have."