king over the men
in my mind, and finally I decided to apply my business training to the
problem. Do you remember Dan Brooks?"

Carol nodded instantly. She remembered all the family beaus from the
very beginning. "A doctor now, isn't he? Lives next door to the folks
in Mount Mark. I used to think you would marry him, Connie. He is
well off, and nice, too. And a doctor is very dignified."

Connie agreed warmly, and David laughed. All the Starrs had been so
sensible in discussing the proper qualifications for lovers, and all
had impulsively married whenever the heart dictated.

"Yes, that's Dan. Did you ever notice that cluster of lilac bushes
outside our dining-room window? Maybe you used it in your own beau
days. It is a lovely place to sit, very effective, for Dan's study
overlooks it from the up-stairs, and their dining-room from
down-stairs. So whenever I want to lure Dan I sit under the lilacs.
He can't miss me.

"One day I planted myself out there with a little red note-book and the
telephone directory. Dan and his mother were eating luncheon. I was
absorbed in my work, but just the same I had a wary eye on Dan. He
shoved back his chair, and got up. Then he kissed his mother lightly
and came out the side door, whistling. I looked up, closed the
directory, snapped the lock on my note-book, and took the pencil out of
my mouth. I said, 'Hello, Danny.' Then I shoved the books behind me.

"'Hello, Connie.--No, I wouldn't invite Fred Arnold if I were you. It
would just encourage him to try, try again, and it would mean an
additional wound in the heart for him. Leave him out.'

"I frowned at him. 'I am not doing a party,' I said coldly.

"'No? Then why the directory? You are not reading it for amusement,
are you? You are not--'

"'Never mind, Dan. It is my directory, and if I wish to look up my
friends--'

"'Look up your friends!' Dan was plainly puzzled. 'None of my
business, of course, but it is a queer notion. And why the tablet?
Are you taking notes?' He reached for the notebook with the easy
familiarity that people use when they have known you all your life. I
shoved it away and flushed a little. I can flush at a second's notice,
Carol. It is very effective in a crisis. I'll teach you, if you like.
It only requires a little imagination."

Carol hugged her knees and beamed at Connie. "Go on," she begged.
"How did it turn out?"

"'Well,' he said, 'you must be writing a b