the Nash. She could have gotten a chicken. She decided to get a rich, creamy cake in the bakery.
She crossed Dyckman Street and directly in front of Loft's she encountered Anna Sullivan and Louise Fisher walking together. It was the first time she had seen them since she had been in the new apartment.
"Why, Lillian!"
"Well, for Heaven's sake!"
They stared at her as though she had risen from the dead. She stared back at them.
"Where have you been?" they asked in unison.
"Settling my apartment and one thing and another," she returned. "Did you quit work, Anna?"
"No, I've been sick. This is really my first day out. Louise has been keeping me company. Gee, we wondered and wondered where you'd gone."
"You knew."
"No, honest, Lillian. I knew it was that row where the nigger janitor stabbed his wife, but I didn't know which house. We've wondered about you a lot."
Lillian was conscious of Louise's hard, inquiring eyes regarding her under the rakish slant of a pale green cloche. She saw Anna's glance roving over her bundles, the soiled dress under her unbuttoned coat. She was suddenly conscious that her heels needed straightening and that she was out without a hat. Good God, was this she—Lili Cory? She was frightened to walk on and leave Anna and Louise alone. They would say things to each other about her. They would perhaps look back at her and pity her.
