Part 74 (1/2)
”You got the littlest waist I ever seen,” reciprocated Lulu, regarding Lilly's sylphid figure with admiring eyes.
”You ought to have seen me the first year I was working, Loo. I ain't got such a little waist any more, but I did have some figure then.”
They dressed in relays, taking turns about before the splotched mirror.
”Here, Lil, let me pin up them sleeves a little. Mame says all the swell waists up in the ready-to-wears have short sleeves.”
”I've had my eye on a swell silver bracelet in Shank's window, Loo, for a long time; they are so pretty with elbow-sleeves.”
They pecked at each other like preening birds. At seven Lulu's suitor arrived. They took final dabs at themselves.
”He ain't such a nifty looker, Lil, but he sure knows how to treat a girl swell. He ain't none of your piker kind that runs past a drug store like the soda-fountain was after him. Why, I've known him to treat to as many as three sodas in an evenin'! And say, kid, he is some cla.s.sy dresser--latest jewelry and black-and-white initials worked on his s.h.i.+rt-sleeves. I met him at a mask, and he give me his card.”
”Does he know you work?”
”Yes; but he said he'd rather have a girl tell him she's workin' like I did than to have her stuff him.”
”That's what I used to say; they find out, anyway.”
”Sure they do; the only time I told a guy I didn't work was that time with you.”
”That time you told Mr. Evans you was goin' to school?”
”Yes; and he up and said: 'Yes; you go to school! You wrestle with pots, you do, sis.'”
They laughed reminiscently.
”We sure used to have swell times together, Lulu.”
”Swell times--well, I guess yes! I never did have the same good times with no chum of the department since you left.”
They descended to meet Mr. Polly in the lower hall. That gentleman rose from the hat-tree. Four fingers of a tan glove protruded with studied intent from the breast-pocket of his coat; his trousers and sleeves were creased as definitely as paper. Mr. Polly's features were strictly utilitarian--it was his boast that by a peculiar muscular contraction he could waggle his ears with fidelity to asinine effect.
His mouth was of such proportions that the slightest smile revealed his teeth back to the molars. He smiled as he rose from the hat-tree.
”Howdy-do, Mr. Polly? Is it warm enough for you? I want to make you acquainted with my friend, Lilly Harkins.”
”Pleased to meet you,” said Mr. Polly.
”I didn't think you'd mind my bringin' a lady friend along to-night. I thought maybe you could find her a friend up at the hall, Mr. Polly.”
He bowed with alacrity.
”Always ready to do the ladies a favor,” he said, extending both arms akimbo and stepping between them.
Lilly hung back with becoming reticence.
”I'm afraid I'm b.u.t.ting in--two's company an' three's a crowd.”
They hastened to rea.s.sure her.
”You just make yourself right at home. I'm always ready to do the ladies a favor, Miss Harkins.”