own feet and not always looking to rich women to take care of him. Continuing with Ranna would be like watering a beautiful artificial tree. No roots to make it grow. And then to be so far away from New York, this place and that.
She must try again to reach Vermillion before he sailed and ask him what he thought she ought to do. She had tried again and again to reach him at hurried intervals the past week from telephone booths but without success. One couldn't phone him with Vida lying there hearing every word.
"Don't lean out so far," Vida warned.
"I feel cooped up."
"It's no wonder. I wish you wouldn't stay in on such a beautiful day because of me."
"I think I'll run over to the drugstore and get some cold cream."
"In case of fire do not run, walk," Vida quoted, with a trace of her former lilt.
At the drugstore Lucy phoned Vermillion. No answer. For someone who says he doesn't go out much he's never in when you phone, she complained to herself, and phoned Figente just in case he was there.
"Nino and I are playing cribbage, come down," Figente invited.
"I can't, I have to get back to Vida."
"Back? Where are you?"
"I came out to the drugstore. Tell me, are you going to the surprise party for Nino next Friday?"
"This is the first I've heard of it. Who is giving it?"
"Horta Cornwallis—but don't tell him, it's a surprise."
"She knows I rarely go out. Nino wants to talk to you."
She could sense Nino was hurt at having been put off. "My friend has been very sick and I've hardly been out of the house. Would lunch tomorrow be all right for you?" she asked, keeping nights free in case she reached Vermillion.
"Shall we say the Athenée at one?"
"That will be fine."
She walked a half block heading uptown, intending to go for a walk, and then turned and went home. It was terrible to be alone on such a beautiful spring Sunday. I've certainly changed from that Sunday when I enjoyed the walk on Fifth Avenue to Simone's. I feel years older. Vida and I have grown up or else I don't know what's the matter with me.
