Page "Gertrude Stein" Paragraph 27

Mabel attributed the end of their friendship to an exchange in the autumn of 1912 when, during lunch, Gertrude sent her " such a good strong look over the table that it seemed to cut across the air to me in a band of electrified steel — a smile traveling across on it — powerful — Heavens !".

Alice interpreted the look as a flirtation and left the room, prompting Gertrude to follow, and when Gertrude returned, she said, " doesn't want to come lunch .... She feels the heat today.

" The salon, and the people that came to visit it, provided the inspiration for The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas.