t the field."

That makes her grin a little, and she pats my hand kind of sisterly
like. "It isn't men I want, you goose; it's women--my own kind," says
she, and the next minute she gives me the nudge and whispers: "Now,
watch--the one in the chiffon Panama."

"Shiff which?" says I. But I sees the one she means--a heavy-weight
person, rigged out like a dry-goods exhibit and topped off with
millinery from the spring openin', coming toward us behind a pair of
nervous steppers. She had her lamps turned our way, and I hears Sadie
give her the time of day as sweet as you please. She wasn't more'n six
feet off, either; but it missed fire. She stared right through Sadie,
just as if there'd been windows in her, and then turned to cuddle a
brindle pup on the seat beside her.

"Acts like she owed you money," says I.

"We swapped tales of domestic woe for two weeks at Colorado Springs
season before last," said Sadie; "but it seems that she's forgotten.
That's Mrs. Morris Pettigrew, whose husband--"

"That one?" says I. "Why, she ain't such a much, either. I know folks
that think she's a joke."

"She feels that she can't afford to recognize me on Fifth-ave., just the
same. That's where I stand," says Sadie.

"It's a crooked deal, then," says I.

And right there I began to get a glimmer of the kind of game she was up
against. Talk about freeze-outs!

"I'll show her, though, and the rest of 'em!" says Sadie, stickin' out
her cute little chin. "I'm not going to quit yet."

"Good for you!" says I. "It's a pastime I ain't up in at all; but if you
can ever find use for me behind the scenes anywhere, just call on."

"I will, Shorty," says she, "and right now. Come on down to Sherry's
with me for luncheon."

"Quit your kiddin'," says I. "You don't want to queer the whole program
at the start. I'd be lost in a place like that--me in a sack suit and
round-top dicer! Why, the head waiter'd say 'Scat!' and I'd make a dive
under the table."

She said she didn't care a red apple for that. She wanted to sail in
there and throw a bluff, only she couldn't go alone, and she guessed
I'd do just as I was.

Course, I couldn't stand for no fool play of that kind; but seein' as
she was so dead set on the place, I said we'd make it a 'leven-o'clock
supper, after the theatre; but it must be my blow.

"I've got the clothes that'll fit into a night racket," says I, "and
besides, I've got to get a few points first."

"It's a go," says she