Hazel Morse is the protagonist of the story. Her mother has died when she is in her twenties and she has taken a job as a model. During this period she works to be popular, especially with men. When Hazel Morse is nearly thirty, she met Herbie Morse. They get married six weeks later. Herbie is a dapper man and a heavy drinker, but really charming to Hazel Morse and they have “a couple thousand evenings of being a good sport”. During the first months of the marriage she is happy.
For Mrs. Morse, marriage is a change she has known. But Herbie’s expectations of married life are different. Like the same reason of every man, he apparently was attracted to her because she was fun and indulgent of his drinking and passive in the face of his desires. When Hazel Morse is relieved that she no longer has to be so much fun, begins to cry and wants to stay home, Herbie Morse becomes impatient, objects to her “crabbing” and begins to go out often. Hazel Morse decides to start going out again, and soon begins to drink. However, the couple fights more often, Herbie threatens to leave her and usually gives her a black eye.
In Herbie’s frequent absence, Hazel Morse and Mrs. Martin drink together during the day, and play poker games at night. Mrs. Martin entertains an admirer, Joe, and several of his friends. Hazel Morse enjoys the attention of these men. One of a married man named Ed, pays Hazel Morse particular attention. One day, Herbie tells his wife that he is leaving her. They have a drink together and he makes a toast — “Here’s mud in your eye” — before he leaves. Hazel Morse drinks heavily at Mrs. Martin’s that night and tells Ed that Herbie has left her.
That night Hazel Morse stays in Ed's apartment. She becomes Ed’s mistress, and he gives her an allowance. In order to meet each other more convenient, Hazel Morse moves near the train station, and Ed hires a black maid named Nettie to clean for her. Still, Hazel Morse drinks a lot or she might feel melancholy. Ed takes Hazel Morse to a bar called Jimmy’s and she becomes friendly with a group of women there. These women are married but either don't live with their spouses, or are divorced. When they run out of money, “a new donor” appears among the men who frequent the bar. Hazel Morse doesn’t worry about money because Ed is doing well financially.
After three years together, Ed moves to Florida, leaving Hazel Morse with some money. She becomes the mistress of a series of men. She drinks heavier but it no longer offers the solace to her anymore. She thinks about suicide. One night, Hazel Morse has a conversation with Mrs. Florence Miller at Jimmy’s. Hazel Morse hears about veronal from her. The sleeping pill she later uses to try to commit suicide. Mrs. Morse finds out that veronal is powerful and easy to buy in New Jersey. The next morning she goes to two different drug stores there and buys some.
At this time Hazel Morse is seeing a man named Art. She makes an effort to be gay around him and he considers her “the best sport in the world.” Like all of the others, Art enjoys Hazel Morse’s company only when she is cheerful. But one night she becomes very depressed on her way to meet him and Art is angry with her. She returns home and takes veronal. The next day, Nettie comes to clean the house and discovers her unconscious body. She is frightened, and the elevator attendant comes to Nettie’s aid. Together they find a doctor who lives in the building. The doctor is drinking with a “dark girl” and feels unhappy to be disturbed but still comes to examine Hazel Morse. Nettie discovers the veronal vials in the bathroom and the doctor declares that they will have to pump her stomach, but that she won't die.
Two days later Hazel Morse awakens and starts to cry. Nettie, who has been caring for her, asks her why she had taken the pills and tells her how much trouble she has been. Hazel Morse asks Nettie if she has ever felt like committing suicide. Nettie gives Hazel Morse a postcard from Art and encourages her to cheer up. Hazel Morse feels miserable and toasts Nettie, “Here’s mud in your eye.”