Susan's answer was a strange laugh. Ahead of them, a woman warmly and showily dressed was sauntering along. "That's one of them," said Etta. "Let's see how she does it. We've got to learn quick. I can't stand this cold much longer."
The two girls, their rags fluttering about their miserable bodies, kept a few feet behind the woman, watched her with hollow eyes of envy and fear. Tears of anguish from the cold were streaming down their cheeks. Soon a man alone—a youngish man with a lurching step—came along. They heard the woman say, "Hello, dear. Don't be in a hurry."
He tried to lurch past her, but she seized him by the lapel of his overcoat. "Lemme go," said he. "You're old enough to be a grandmother, you old hag."
Susan and Etta halted and, watching so interestedly that they forgot themselves, heard her laugh at his insult, heard her say wheedlingly, "Come along, dearie, I'll treat you right. You're the kind of a lively, joky fellow I like."
"Go to hell, gran'ma," said the man, roughly shaking her off and lurching on toward the two girls. He stopped before them, eyed them by the light of the big electric lamp, grinned good-naturedly. "What've we got here?" said he. "This looks better."
The woman rushed toward the girls, pouring out a stream of vileness. "You git out of here!" she shrilled. "You chippies git off my beat. I'll have you pinched—I will!"
"Shut up!" cried the drunken man, lifting his fist. "I'll have you pinched. Let these ladies alone, they're friends of mine. Do you want me to call the cop?"
The woman glanced toward the corner where a policeman was standing, twirling his club. She turned away, cursing horribly. The man laughed. "Dirty old hag—isn't she?" said he. "Don't look so scared, birdies." He caught them each by an arm, stared woozily at Etta. "You're a good little looker, you are. Come along with me. There's three in it."
"I—I can't leave my lady friend," Etta succeeded in chattering.
"Please really I can't."
"Your lady friend?" He turned his drunken head in Susan's direction, squinted at her. He was rather good-looking. "Oh—she means you. Fact is, I'm so soused I thought I was seein' double. Why, you're a peach. I'll take you." And he released his hold on Etta to seize her. "Come right along, my lovey-dovey dear."