«My God! Why do you put up with it, Peg?» Carol gasped in disbelief. «I'd call the police … have him arrested … anything!»

«I know … l know, honey,» Peggy said, lifting her head and drinking from the glass. «It sounds like the only answer, doesn't it, but it isn't. Believe me, it isn't! Any woman who has ever had a drunken, wife-beating man would quickly tell you the same. So, they're arrested, fined, and released … and what do you suppose happens to the poor girl then? That's right, his vengeance is even worse.»

«Then, for God's sake, divorce him!» Carol exclaimed, reaching a point of exasperation.

«Divorce him …? Oh … I couldn't do that, honey!» Peggy replied, shaking her head. «You see, he really needs me … and I love him!»

Carol stared at her, speechless. Well, so much for ridiculousness, she thought, draining her glass. What more was there to say? The anguished wife had pathetically said it all in six words which had struck a familiar chord in the divorced girl's memory … he needs me … I love him! Incredibly enough, Carol thought, I understand just how she feels!

«Here, let me get us another drink,» she said, taking Peggy's empty glass and walking into the little kitchenette. Then, in a low voice that couldn't be overheard through the thin walls, she said, «You better stay here with me tonight, Peg. As you say, he'll be over it by tomorrow, or at least too sick to give you any further nonsense.»

«Thanks, Carol, but … but I don't want to put you to any trouble. If I can stay just a little while longer, maybe he'll have fallen asleep …»

«Don't be silly,» Carol said, returning to hand her a second bracing measure of straight bourbon, then lowering herself into the chair across from her neighbor. «You know it's no trouble. The bed is big enough for both of us, and I've got an extra toothbrush and nightie. Besides, I wouldn't sleep all night worrying about you, and here we both can rest comfortably with Sultan protecting us …»