She was explaining to Alice that as far as she was concerned there was nothing more valuable to the human body than sunbathing, and that nudist colonies were the answer to the world's moral problems.
Alice was laughing hysterically at Fay's suggestion that we all join a nudist colony, and she leaned over and accepted a drink that Fay poured for her.
We sat and talked until dawn, and I insisted on seeing Alice home.
When she protested that it wasn't necessary, Fay insisted that she would be a fool to go out alone in the city at this hour.
So I went down and hailed a cab.
"There's something about her," said Alice on the way home.
"I don't know what it is. Her frankness, her open trust, her unselfishness…"
I agreed.
"And she loves you," said Alice.
"No.
She loves everyone," I insisted. I'm just the neighbor across the hall."
"Aren't you in love with her?"
I shook my head. "You're the only woman, I've ever loved."
"Let's not talk about that."
"Then you've cut me off from an important source of conversation."
"Only one thing I'm worried about, Charlie. The drinking.
I've heard about some of those hangovers."
"Tell Burt to confine his observations and reports to the experimental data.
I won't have him poisoning you against me.
I can handle the drinks."
"I've heard that one before."
"But never from me."
"That's the only thing I have against her," she said.
"She's got you drinking and she's interfering with your work."
"I can handle that too."
"This work is important now, Charlie. Not only to the world and millions of unknown people, but to you. Charlie, you've got to solve this thing for yourself as well.
Don't let anyone tie your hands."
"So, now the truth comes out," I teased.
"You'd like me to see less of her."
"That's not what I said."
"It's what you meant.
If she's interfering with my work we both know I've got to cut her out of my life."
"No, I don't think you should cut her out of your life. She's good for you.
You need a woman who's been around as she has."
"You would be good for me."
She turned her face away.
"Not in the same way she is."
She looked back at me.
"I came here tonight prepared to hate her.
I wanted to see her as a vile, stupid whore you'd gotten mixed up with, and I had big plans about coming between you and saving you from her in spite of yourself.
But now that I've met her, I realize I have no right to judge her behavior. I think she's good for you.
So that really lets the air out of me.
I like her even if I disapprove. But in spite of that, if you've got to drink with her and spend all of your time with her in night clubs and cabarets dancing, then she's in your way.
And that's a problem only you can solve."
"Another one of those?" I laughed.
"Are you up to this one? You're deeply involved with her. I can tell."
"Not all that deep."
"Have you told her about yourself?"
"No." Imperceptibly, I could see her relax.
By keeping the secret about myself, I had somehow not committed myself to Fay completely.