and gold elevator cage. What a thing to notice at this time. Expensive hotel lobbies are bright, not dim and cockroachy like the Derby on 47th or the Crofter in Denver. She phoned Mother that Lyle, Beman, Soler, and she were driving out to Great Neck for a breath of air and they'd be there overnight.
The elevator man said good evening obsequiously to Lyle, sliding his big black eyes all over her.
I'm the girl in the gilded cage.
The suite was a stage setting of an Ina Claire comedy. Red roses, round table with a cloth as white and stiff as Lyle's shirt, and a crystal chandelier that made her pale blue beaded dress sparkle like ice.
"Yes sir, yes of course, Mr. Bigelow, yes, yes, yes, how will you have it sir, will this do, madame?"
What a fuss about a poor little chicken. Too bad there wasn't gin, it made you feel better faster. But the champagne was good.
The bedroom was blue and white striped. Another cage, she thought nervously.
It has been easier to think of him as a lover in his evening dress than now, long legged and too smooth, in silk monogrammed shorts. She told herself she was being mean because, after all, everyone has to undress. He seemed to enjoy parading what was ordinary to every man, showing off that he was one. And then he seemed to receive too much pleasure from the feel of her bits of chiffon and lace. She was astonished to discover the bed had been scented with a perfume he had given her but which she did not use because she preferred Mitsuoko.
As he crushed her she tried to remember how nice he had been to Mother and herself and was relieved he did not seem to mind that she could not try to be as excited as he was. It was funny that the more excited he became the less she liked him. It was hard to find a reason—it was like a feeling she had had that Semy Klug's constant washing of his hands made him seem even more unclean.
The crosstown trolley clanged below and she lay waiting until she could leave without hurting his feelings. At breakfast he was so sweet and content she tried hard to feel in love. But sensing he wanted to start all over she jumped up and said decisively, "I must go, I'll be late for Master's."
Afterwards she felt a little more friendly toward him because she was sorry she had been unable to pretend more. During the next days she thought it was rather pathetic how much he still wanted
