speak, out of the process. When Maxine giggled, uncontrollably, he said, “Go on — laugh! But some day I’m going to kiss you and I’ll take my glasses off first. Then look out!”

You have to have a good deal of humour to stand being laughed at by a girl you’ve kissed; especially a girl who emphasizes her aloofness by wearing those high-collared white silk blouses.

“You haven’t got a goitre, have you?” said Arnold Hatch, one evening, brutally. Then, as she had flared in protest, “I know it. I love that little creamy satin hollow at the base of your throat.”

“You’ve never s — — ” The scarlet flamed up. She was human.

“I know it. But I love it just the same.”