door. Okay?"*

"Okay," I murmured, still dazed by what had happened. "Then what will you do?"

!

"Hit the road again, " she said. "I'm a tramp at heart. Keep moving, that's me."

"I want to thank you for your kindness. Her eyes widened, "You mean?"

9.9

I ran to my purse and took from it a twenty dollar bill. The new dress I wanted could wait. I ran back to Mac. "Please take this. I want you to have it." She eyed the bill.

"I'd have knocked that worm out for free," she grinned. "But if you insist, sure I'll take it.

وو

"I do insist." I pressed the bill into her hand. "I've seen everything now," Mac said, jamming the money into her pocket. "Being good paid off better than if I'd been bad."

"Mac-it always does, one way or another," I said.

She looked down at Bob. "This jerk left the key in the ignition," she said. "I'll drive his car closer to your door. Then I'll drag him out of here and cart him home pronto.

9.9

Then the next thing Mac said and did rocked me with surprise.

She slowly withdrew the money from her pocket. Her tanned face flushed, and she looked directly into

my eyes.

"Doll," she said, her voice sort of choking. "I can't take your money."

"But, Mac, you'll need it," I reminded. "Hitchhiking isn't easy. You'll"

for

"I can get work along the way," Mac said. Her big shoulders straightened, "But I can't take pay just being decent."

She lumbered over and lay the twenty dollar bill on the coffee table. Carefully she weighed it down

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with one of Granger's ash trays.

I hastened over and stood beside her. "Take it, Mac," I insisted. "It-it isn't pay. It's thanks."

"Thanks." Mac pulled at her ear lobe as she seemed to be pondering that word. Then a smile softened her lips and she looked really attractive. "Well, you've said it. And you meant it. And I'll settle for that." "But after all, you'

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"I gave that lousy son-of-a-bitch what he had coming. So, chick, I did a decent thing. Let's leave it at that.""

She put out her weather-roughened hand and I clasped it.

"Mac," I said, "after you take Bob home, why don't you come back and have coffee with me? Let me pack you a lunch."

"You're sweet, doll," Mac grinned. "But I've got no business cooped up with you. No, girlie. For what's best for both of us-t this is so long.

9.9

"Thanks again, Mac. And the best of luck!"

At first, I wished I could have persuaded Mac to accept the money. And then I was glad she hadn't. Because I realized by not accepting it, Mac had regained her self respect.

A few moments later as Mac was driving away with Bob sprawled out on the back seat, I called to her, "God bless you, Mac."

She took one big hand from the steering wheel and gave me a jaunty wave.

And that was the last I ever saw of her.

The next morning Granger and I went to San Francisco for the week end.

GROZD

During those three days we behaved like tourists. Yet wherever we went, whatever we did, two thoughts dominated my mind. Jan might be just a block away lost in the crowd. Or at any moment she might

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