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happening to her. The problem would be the other girl, whoever she might be, her nearness, her body, and she would win her battle by ignoring her own desires and frustrations. By the end of the school year, by the time she graduated, she would know that she was a woman, all woman, that there was no twilight strain in her blood. After that she would go ahead according to her plan. She would get a job in a large corporation as a secretary and she would be efficient. She would keep herself beautiful at all times and she would aim for a man who had money, lots of money. When she found him, married or single, she would put her hooks into him, drive them in deep, and she would never let him go. Marriage would not be important. If he gave her what she wanted—money, money, money—that was all that mattered. She would give him her body in exchange for cash. Even if she could not lick this thing churning within her —her coldness and her crazy desire for her own kind—she would be able to give him his money's worth.
    She looked up as the door opened and Thelma Reid came in. Thelma, Helen was glad to note, was fully dressed.
    "I was wondering if you were comfortable," Thelma said.
    "Yes. Very."
    "Anything you need?"
    "No, nothing."
    "Did you have a nice summer?"
    "Oh, yes. Fine."
    Thelma Reid smiled. "I'm putting another girl in with you," she said. "She'll be here shortly after lunch."
    "All right."
    "I hope you two get along."
    "I'm sure we will."
    "She was here in August and she seemed very nice. She wanted a room by herself but she's new this year and I thought she ought to have somebody who could help her."
    "That's a good idea."
    "I think so, too."
    Thelma said that it was hot and she unbuttoned the two top buttons on her dress. She always said it was hot, whether it really was or not, and if she was wearing a dress she always unbuttoned the top of it. Helen could see Thelma's pink bra and the dark cleavage between her breasts. She tried not to notice but she felt something stirring within her and she continued to look.
    "Well, I'll start lunch," Thelma said, blowing a loose strand of hair away from her face. "Is there anything special that you want?"
    "No, thanks."
    "Just yell if there is."
    "I will."
    Thelma went out and Helen stared at the closed door. She could still smell Thelma's perfume and it smelled good, rich and fine. She took a deep breath, drinking in the odor, and hunted for another cigarette.
    She noticed then that her hands were shaking.

CHAPTER 4
    Cooper community college was like hundreds of other community colleges all over the country. The buildings were old, part of an estate which had been donated to the county, and the enrollment was low. There were no dormitories on the grounds, just classrooms, and all of the kids lived away from the campus. About ninety percent of the students were locals from the county, traveling every day from their homes by train or bus or driving old cars that made lots of noise. Most of the girls and boys were from poor families and unable to afford the tuition at more expensive schools. A lot of them held odd jobs, working weekends and nights to help support themselves.
    Peggy liked the school. The instructors were friendly, classmates equally friendly and her board and room at Mrs. Reid's was more than satisfactory. For the first time in her life she was out from under the shadow of her father and it was a glorious feeling. She didn't have to listen to the kids saying how rich she was and hating her for it, and she didn't have to worry about Frank pawing her every chance he got. She could laugh and be herself and make friends on the basis of her own personality. And she made several friends and, of course, she considered Helen Lee her best one. That was only natural. Helen had been helpful and understanding during her initial, temporary loneliness and she knew her way around the college.
    "Bus is the best way to get out there," Helen said. "You can catch it on the corner and