No Nice Girl Read Online Free PDF Page A

gloves, hose and hankies in the top drawer, and so on down. But now the top drawer held slips and nightgowns as well, and the second drawer was filled with Anice’s apple-blossom-tinted lingerie—all of it new and unworn, Phyllis noted in passing. The third drawer held what had formerly been in the two bottom drawers, and the bottom drawer was filled with Anice’s possessions.
    Phyllis walked to the closet and swung open the door. By then she was quite prepared for what she would find and she was not disappointed, for her own wardrobe had been crowded as neatly as such crowding permitted into exactly one half of the closet, while the other half held Anice’s possessions. And Phyllis saw that every single garment, every pair of silly little slippers, each of the three hats were brand-new and had never been worn. The labels were from the smartest of New York shops: Bergdorf-Goodman, Lord & Taylor, Saks’ Fifth Avenue.
    Puzzled, a thoughtful frown between her eyes, Phyllis took her shower and came back and dressed in a simple white jersey dinner dress. When shereturned to the living room, the thoughtful frown was still between her eyes. After all, she tried to tell herself, it was perfectly natural that Anice should have unpacked and made herself at home. And as for the way Anice looked at Terry, Phyllis told herself sternly, “You don’t want Terry, and maybe she does. And Terry likes her….” Nevertheless she barely smothered a little sigh.
    The living room looked pleasant and cozy with the gateleg table drawn up before the long windows that looked over a small, ambitious but not too successful garden. The table was spread with a crisp embroidered linen cloth, and there was a black bowl filled with bright-hued zinnias in the center. Phyllis’ peasant china added a gay and colorful note, and the smells from the kitchenette were very appetizing.
    Terry came in with a cocktail shaker and two glasses on a tray.
    â€œAnice says she doesn’t imbibe,” he said, explaining the two glasses, and grinned at Phyllis.
    â€œIt’s not that I disapprove,” Anice said anxiously. “It’s just that…well, I never thought it was quite ladylike—though of course I don’t mean to criticize you , Cousin Phyllis. I suppose it’s—well, part of being a career girl in New York.”
    â€œI’m not a career girl, Anice,” protested Phyllis shortly. “I am a business girl. I work for my living, not merely for a career.”
    â€œOh, of course. And I suppose you have to drink in order to keep your job,” said Anice candidly.
    Phyllis almost choked over her cocktail and stared at Anice with active dislike in her eyes.
    â€œOdd as it may seem to you, Anice, I’ve never yet had to get drunk in order to hold my job,” she said icily.
    Quick tears filled Anice’s eyes and her young chin quivered, but she managed a tremulous smile and said contritely, “I’ve hurt your feelings, haven’t I? And I’m just terribly sorry—I wouldn’t have done that for anything . I only meant that I didn’t disapprove of your drinking.”
    â€œThat’s damn kind of you,” said Phyllis through her teeth, before she could check the angry words.
    Anice blinked, caught up her apron in two shaking hands and murmured something as she ran back to the kitchenette.
    â€œYou didn’t have to be so rough on the kid, Phyl. She seems like a good kid, anxious to do what’s right,” protested Terry.
    Phyllis raised her eyebrows a little and said gently, “Et tu, Brute?”
    Terry, sharply annoyed, responded, “Oh, for Pete’s sake, Phyl, have a heart! The kid’s trying so hard to make things pleasant.”
    Phyllis laughed, a short, mirthless laugh, and said quietly, “Yes, isn’t she?”
    Anice, suspiciously flushed and her eyes damp, the golden lashes stuck together in little points, came in