"Was it my fault that time made me older and I took on a lot of flesh? Was it my fault that the work and the life took out the color, and left the make-up? Was it my fault that other pretty young girls came along, just as I'd come, and were chased after, just as I was? Was it my fault the cabs weren't waiting any more and people didn't talk about how pretty I was? And was it my fault when he finally had me alone, and just because no one else wanted me, he got tired and threw me flat----" Bringing her hand down on the table with a bang, she added: "Cold flat--and I'd been on the dead level with him." With almost a sob, she went up to the bureau, powdered her nose, and returned to the table. "It almost broke my heart. Then I made up my mind to get even and get all I could out of the game. Jerry came along. He was a has-been, and I was on the road to be. He wanted to be good to me, and I let him. That's all!" "Still, I don't see how you can live that way," said Laura, lying back on the bed. "Well, you did," retorted Elfie, "and you didn't kick." "Yes," rejoined Laura calmly, "but things are different with me now. You'd be the same way if you were in my place." "No," laughed Elfie mockingly, "I've had all the romance I want, and I'll stake you to all your love affairs. I am out to gather in as much coin as I can in my own way, so when the old rainy day comes along I'll have a little change to buy myself an umbrella." Laura started angrily to her feet. Hotly she cried: "What did you come here for? Why can't you leave me alone when I'm trying to get along?" "Because I want to help you," retorted Elfie calmly. With tears streaming down her cheeks, almost hysterical, Laura tossed aside the quilt and sank down in a heap on the bed. "You can't help me!" she sobbed. "I'm all right--I tell you I am." Peevishly she demanded: "What do you care, anyway?" Elfie rose, and going over to the bed, sat down and took her old chum's hand. Quietly she said: "But I do care. I know how you feel with an old cat for a landlady, and living up here on a side street with a lot of cheap burlesque people." Laura snatched her hand away, and going up to the window, turned her back. It was a direct snub, but Elfie did not care. Unabashed, she went on: "Why, the room's cold, and there's no hot water, and you're beginning to look shabby. You haven't got a job--chances are you won't have one." Pointing contemptuously to the picture of John Madison over the bed, she went on: "What does that fellow do for you? Send you long letters of condolences? That's what I used to get. When I wanted to buy a new pair of shoes or a silk petticoat he told me how much he loved me; so I had the other ones re-soled and turned the old petticoat. And look at you--you're beginning to show it." Surveying her friend's face more closely, she went on: "I do believe there are lines coming in your face, and you hide in the house because you've nothing to wear."