gasped. He found it very hard to keep
me and my husband straight in his mind.

"'I am just pretending. I practise on father's. I want to be a very
efficient darner, so my patches won't make his poor dear feet sore.'

"'Lord help us,' cried Dan, springing to his feet and flinging himself
through the hedge and slamming the door until it shook the house. He
went away angry every time. He simply couldn't be rational. One day
he said he guessed he would have to be the goat and marry me himself
just to keep me out of trouble. Then he blushed, and went home and
forgot his hat.

"Came down to the last day. 'It has simmered down to Harvey Grath and
Buddy Johnson,' I told him. 'Harvey Grath,--Buddy Johnson,--Harvey
Grath,--Buddy Johnson. Do run away, Danny, and don't be a nuisance.
Harvey Grath,--Buddy Johnson.'

"Dan neglected his patients until it is a wonder they did not all
die,--or get well, or something. He sat up-stairs in his study
watching an endless procession of Harvey Graths and Buddy Johnsons,
coming, lingering, going.

"That night, regardless of the illuminating moon, I took Buddy Johnson
to the lilac corner. Dan was up-stairs smoking in front of his window.
Buddy didn't know about that window, but I did. He took my hand, and I
let him. I leaned my head against his shoulder,--not truly against,
just near enough so Dan could not tell the difference. Buddy tried to
kiss me, and nearly did it. I wasn't expecting it just at that minute.
Dan sprang from his chair before the conclusion, so he did not know if
the kiss was a fact, or not. Then I moved two feet away. Dan came out
and marched across to the lilacs.

"'Connie,' he said, 'I am sorry to interrupt, but I need to talk to you
a few minutes. It is a matter of business.' To Buddy he said, 'You
know Connie always helps me out when I get stuck. Can you give me a
minute, Connie?'

"I said, 'Of course I can. You'll excuse me won't you, Buddy? It is
getting late anyhow.'

"So Buddy went away and Dan marched we up on the porch where it was
dark and shady.

"'Are you engaged to Buddy Johnson?'

"'No.'

"'Thank Heaven.'

"Dan kissed me, regardless of the accusing eyes of my husband in the
background."

Carol breathed loudly in her relief. He kissed her. Connie did not
care. They were engaged.

"Dan breathlessly took back everything he ever said about getting
married, and being a bachelor, and so forth. He said he was crazy to
b