-6-

them without any trouble. He turned on his charming infectious smile and reached for her as he said, "It's a deal, darling. I'll be your obedient humble servant till you're willing to take me back to your bed and board. Is that what you want me to say? Now can we be friends again? Real close friends? Like in bed?"

Alice pushed him aside coldly as she said, "Don't be in such a rush, Bob. It's a deal when you write it all out and sign it. And remember that I mean it exactly as I said it. No matter what I command, you have to obey. So write that down and sign it. Then your trial period will begin. But just one failure on your part and we're through. For keeps."

Bob wasn't so cocky and sure of himself by this time, but he wrote out the agreement as Alice dictated it. When he had signed it, Alice took it and left the room for a moment, returning to say that it was in a safe place. Then in a serious manner she told Bob, "The detective who took those pictures of you and Jane Farnham in bed together says that Mr. Farnham is sort of suspicious about his wife. Farnham has his shotgun all loaded, and would come looking for you if the detective sent him copies of those pictures. And that's just what the detective is going to do if I don't call him at least once a day to say that everything is all right here."

-7-

Bob stared at his wife in amazement. Never had he known her to be so serious and determined. She evidently meant what she was saying, and he would have to really behave himself until such time as he could work himself back into her good graces. Getting back into her bed would probably not be so hard, and he hoped it wouldn't take too long, either.

??

"All right, darling. It's all settled, signed, sealed and delivered. I'm your slave, practically, for a month, or until you're sure I really love you.' he said flippantly, trying to escape from the threatening seriousness that had developed between them.

"You'd better believe it, Bob," she replied without smiling. "Unless you want a very expensive lawsuit for divorce, plus a hidefull of buckshot. Now, your first duty is to go upstairs and get undressed. I'll be up in a few minutes to take over from there on.'

"Wonderful. That's the kind of orders I want to hear from you, Alice darling," he smiled gayly as he started up the stairs. "Hurry and come up. I can hardly wait for you. I may even want to start without you.'

"It won't be what you think," she warned him. "Now get going before I have to warn you about disobedience."

"When she entered their bedroom a few minutes