Caroline were delighted with his new look' and complimented him constantly, commenting pointedly about how much his new hairdo improved his appearance. Tracy even suggested that a bit of make-up would do wonders for his face, with Caroline and Mary agreeing enthusiastically. they did not press the subject against Chris's strong objections.

"I gotta draw the line somewhere!" he announced.

But

When they finally began the match the girls played their normal good games, but Chris's performance fell far below his usual mediocre. All he could think about was the odd feeling of that flip of hair slapping against his neck, and in his face when he turned his head too quickly. His concentration was shattered. In addition, he was slow and sloppy, missing easy shots and barely able to stay in the match. Afterward he apologized for his lousy performance.

"Chrissy's been out of sorts lately," Mary informed the others. And to Chris, "Maybe you better go lie down for a while."

"I think she ... uh, I mean he, should see the doctor," Caroline suggested, hoping Chris didn't catch her little gender error. She need not have worried.

Chris was far too busy trying to stay upright and not appear to be as weak as he felt. "And what will I say, that I'm sleepy and weak all the time?" he asked.

"Well, something is obviously wrong, dear,' Mary injected. "Are you unhappy? Maybe the shrink...?"

"No!" He swayed as the court tilted slightly. "OK," he agreed somewhat angrily. "I'll see the Doc first thing tomorrow, okay?" They all nodded their agreement. "Now quit picking on me, will ya?"

"But we just want to help," Mary insisted. "I'll go call Dr. Brown's office for an appointment." She hurried off.

Chris gingerly made his way back home, remembering the worried expressions on the girls' faces as he left them at the tennis court. Why did Mary always insist on doing things for him that he was perfectly capable of doing himself? First the 'hair-cut' appointment and now this. well. He collapsed onto his bed, not even bothering to remove his sweaty tennis outfit or shoes. By now the room spun around him but he hardly had time to notice before he was deep in a troubled dreamless sleep.

When the alarm woke him, Chris was drenched in sweat but seemed to feel generally alright, except for a little shakiness when he rose to undress and shower for work. The hot water soothed his aching muscles and he was feeling almost normal by the time he reported to the office for work to find that Mary had indeed made an appointment for him to see Dr. Brown.

"She wants you there promptly at two o'clock this afternoon," she informed him. "I told her that you had been weak and tired, and gave her my own observations of your lackluster work performance over the passed few days. She seemed quite concerned, Chrissy. Anyway, she suggested that you rest as much as possible before your appointment so I'm going to take over your rounds today while you go back home and relax. You might try getting another few hours of sleep. Now shoo!" She hustled him right back out the door and even escorted him as far as the main entrance before leaving specific instructions that he go lie down at home. He did.

That long nap was very refreshing and Chris was in high spirits when he reported to the doctor's office, hardly behaving like a sick