The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-04-04
CHAPTER XXI

GUTUuBn the long aIternoon, tnt onormity Of her problem stayed with her. That night, as she punch cd her time card, one of the line oi laurrying girls in dark store dresses end cheap coats, she thought sT.hese girls need me. I've got tc help theml I've got to help Anthony And Grandfather would want me tc do something. But what? What shall I do?"
 Anthony was waiting for her outside the employees entrance Toby Masters, who always left the store with Beatrice, cried, "You look like Q man who wants to get plastered."
 Toby knew something was going on, she sensed that Anthony had suffered some bitter dlsappoint- Snent. But she was too wise to ask.
 Anthony said, violently, "If 1t weren't for Bee, l certainly would 90 out on the town tonight. I'd get high as Q kite"
 And you'd have 8 hangover in the morning that would kill you, said Toby.
 Not to mention getting fred" Beatrice added.
 Yet his anguished eyes were so hard to bearl She remembered how she had always sought forget fulness and surcease in the gay, crowded night clubs of this city. Sine thought of the hotel ball rooms, in which she had danced; the theaters in which she had sat: the music and laughter and the excitement that could drive away, for Q few hours, even the deadliest boredom.
 Anthony, why don't we all celebrate tonight? We wouldn't need to get tight. But we could make whoopiel Look, let's be like that man who used to celebrate every kick as If 1t were medal of honor. Let's dance and make merry and the deuce with disap- pointment."
 Toby promptly seconded the motion. "I've been aching for Q really big night for months!" She hopped Up and down, squealing tlelightedly. "What a chance to drag out the Great Stone Face! Look, I'll tell him you're throwing the party, Anthony. Oh, know you're broke, I'll pay you our share. But if tell him it's your party, he can't turn me down, seep Leaving things up to him seems to have gotten nowhere, so-"
 She grinned impudently, I'm nuts about the boy. Come on, let's go home and I'll phone him and get all rigged up"
 I've never heard of any Great Stone Face before," Beatrice said slowly. Who is he?"
 Hos a handsome blizzard. A frozen glacier. A human adding machine. He's in the comptroller's ofiice, my sweet. What do you think I've been doing while you and Anthony cooed over the lunch plates in the cafeteria? I've been throwing myself at his head, that's what I've been doing. He always eats in 6 dark corner near the Kitchen, with a book on higher mathematics. I've been tossing the book under the table and offering him Toby instead, and he's been very politely and stubborny re- fusing to have any"
 "Toby, you shock me-" Anthony said.
 "oh, he likes me, don't fret! He thinks I'm wonderful. He even admits I'm good looking. But" the small, animated face sobered, and for a moment Toby was wist- ful and unsure, He's a very care- ful iooker-ahead, and he has @ mother to support.
 T think you deserve a party" Anthony commented. "All right, we're throwing e party
 Never in her life had Beatrice known quite so impromptu a party. Anthony went home with them on the subway. Toby phoned her boy, and Vera phoned Terry. Bring a razor for Anthony. He looks like mattress"
 Dinner was slapdash and merry. Terry arrived with the razor. s'Stclen. can't afford electric shavers."
 The two men sat on the sofa and read the newspaper while they pretended. not to notice as each girl trekked to and from the shower.
 Beatrice was unhappy about her dress, but 1t was all she had, and she made 1t do. Toby borrowed matter of -factly from Vera, who was rich in numbers which Jake simon hadn't sold.
 At 6 o'clock, the doorbell rang, n