considers her "lucky" hotel, and is under the vigilant care of Mae, who returned in response to my phone call, and Cleo.
She has an unnatural calm that worries me.
On a burning noon toward the end of July Lucy, in a sky-blue dressing gown, lay on the chaise longue.
She pointed to a Mode photograph of herself in a spangled evening gown and blazing with jewels. "All I need is an elephant and I could ride in a circus," she said to Vida and Mae. "To tell you the truth," she continued, "I don't care for below the hip waistlines and knee-length skirts. I like skirts a little longer and the waist where it is. I'd rather dress like Madame Récamier."
"Imagine the Charleston in a dress like that," Vida commented.
"Oh, the Charleston! High yallers are the only ones who can do the Charleston and sing fifty-five choruses of 'All Alone' at the same time."
"I think it's a beautiful photograph, Pussy," Mae said contentedly from a chair overlooking the Park.
"It's a pity you can't have that necklace Cartier's loaned for the picture," Vida said.
"I'd be all dressed up and no place to go," she said indifferently.
"I've just read The Private Life of Helen of Troy. Beman ought to have it made into a musical for your next show," Vida said.
"My next show! This one's only six weeks old, and Beman says it'll run two years. I still can't believe it. What tickles me most is the success of the Laurencin ballet. I wonder whether Vermillion would like it now that the harps are only props and the boys are dancers and there is other music. I liked the first ballet better, but I suppose it wasn't for Broadway. It's the hit tune so maybe he'll hear it in Paris. I guess I never gave Beman credit enough. I never thought he would take a chance with his own money—and on me!"
"Oh—I forgot, Lucy," Mae interrupted. "Peggy Watson phoned before you were awake, she's only in town for today and said to tell you how thrilled she was seeing your name on the marquee."
"I wish you'd waked me. I'm sorry not to see her, I want Vida to meet her. She got me my first chance on Broadway and was a big help in other ways," Lucy said gazing out the window.
"She's going to phone the next time she gets to town."
"What are you smiling at, Vida?" asked Lucy.
"Lying there, you look as you did when I first saw you on Aunt Mabel's porch with that blue bow under your chin."
